Ariel (Israeli settlement)
Ariel
| |
---|---|
City (from 1998) | |
Hebrew transcription(s) | |
• ISO 259 | ʔariˀel |
Coordinates: 32°6′22″N 35°11′16″E / 32.10611°N 35.18778°E | |
Region | West Bank |
District | Judea and Samaria Area |
Founded | 1978 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Eliyahu Shaviro |
Area | |
• Total | 14,677 dunams (14.677 km2 or 5.667 sq mi) |
Population (2022)[1] | |
• Total | 20,520 |
• Density | 1,400/km2 (3,600/sq mi) |
Name meaning | Lion of God |
Ariel (
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.[5]
Ariel's jurisdiction spans 14,677
Etymology
Ariel (pronounced Ari'el), literally means 'Lion of God'. "Ari" (Lion) in Hebrew is also a synonym for bravery and courage and it is also the symbol of the
History
Ariel was founded in 1978 on land that was seized for military needs and on land that was declared state land, including cultivated farmland of Palestinian villages in the district and on rocky land the villagers used for grazing their flocks.
The original members of the group had gone through a screening process in order to put together a mix of skilled adults as well as young families that would be prepared psychologically to withstand starting a new settlement from scratch with little infrastructure and modern comforts. There were no paved roads or paths. Water was supplied periodically by a tanker truck. Electricity was provided by a generator since no electrical network existed in that area. Tents were replaced by prefabricated concrete blocks which served as living quarters, schools, and an infirmary. On September 1, 1978, the school year was officially opened.[citation needed]
From 1978 to 1988, Ariel continued to develop, and established itself as the urban center for the nearby Israeli settlements. In 1980, the prefabricated homes were replaced with permanent housing. The College of Judea and Samaria, which would later become the Ariel University Center of Samaria, and eventually Ariel University, was founded in 1982. Three elementary schools, a community center, a sports hall, and a synagogue were built. In May 1982, Ariel was connected to the national power grid.
During the
In 2005, the residents of
Nachman, a central figure in the Likud party, presided over Ariel from 1978 until his death in January 2013, at first as head of the local council and as mayor from 1985, when the settlement was officially recognized as a city.[11] Both religious and secular Jews reside in Ariel. The city has sixteen synagogues.
On 15 November 2022, three Israelis were murdered during a terror attack near Ariel.
Geography
Ariel is situated between 17 kilometres (11 mi) and 22 kilometres (14 mi) east of the
Ariel's jurisdiction spans 14,677
Economy
The city has several shopping centres and two industrial zones (divided into light and heavy industry), a library. In July 2008, Israel approved the construction of 27 new factories, which were expected to be completed by September 2009.[14]
Status under international law
Like other settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories, Ariel is considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.[15] A series of Israeli governments has insisted that Ariel be included within Israel's future borders under any future peace treaty.[16] The Israeli Ministry of the Interior gave the municipality of Ariel the status of a city council in 1998. In January 2010, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by leading figures in his governing coalition, declared Ariel the "capital of Samaria", and "an integral part of Israel".[4] In December 2010, thirty-five MKs petitioned the government to annex Ariel to Israel.[17] Palestinian representatives have opposed the incorporation of Ariel into Israel in any future settlement, arguing that the Ariel 'finger' would interrupt the territorial integrity of a Palestinian state and includes a major aquifer. Ariel's future is thus not clear: "as well as an obstacle to an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, it could also serve as a crucial trade-off for negotiators hammering out a final deal."[16] McDonald's Israel, the local subsidiary of the international fast food chain, turned down an offer to open a restaurant in Ariel in June 2013, citing its declared policy not to open any branches in West Bank settlements across the Green Line.[18]
Education and culture
Ariel is home to the
The state-funded
West Bank barrier
The Israeli West Bank barrier was originally planned to extend out from the Israeli border to Ariel. Under American political pressure, the "finger", as the extension of the fence to include Ariel is often called, was not built. Instead, Ariel has a security fence surrounding it on only three sides.[28]
International relations
Twin towns/ Sister cities
Ariel is
- Heredia, Costa Rica[29]
- Mobile, Alabama, United States[29][30]
- Ceadîr-Lunga, Moldova
- Divjakë, Albania
References
- ^ "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "Table 3 – Population of Localities Numbering Above 2,000 Residents and Other Rural Population" (PDF). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. 2010-06-30. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
- ^ Ariel municipality Archived February 8, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Official website
- ^ a b Lazaroff, Tovah (2010-01-29). "PM: Ariel is the 'capital of Samaria'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
- ^ "The Geneva Convention". BBC News. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Local Authorities in Israel 2005, Publication #1295 – Municipality Profiles – Ariel" (PDF) (in Hebrew). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. 2005. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
- ^ B'tselem. 17 July 2012 [30 August 2010]. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ Ariel Founder details Ariel's history Archived August 28, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Madmon, Yifat (2008). Ariel, sipura shel ir [Ariel, story of a city] (in Hebrew) (1st ed.). p. 20.
- The Spokesman Review. 9 April 1990
- ^ Levinson, Chaim (19 January 2013). "Ron Nachman, 'the last of the secular settlers,' who couldn't convince the Israeli public". Haaretz. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ Ariel and Ariel Bloc Archived 2013-10-10 at the Wayback Machine. Peacenow, May 2005
- ^ Virtuel Israel Experience: Ariel The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise
- ^ Lazaroff, Tovah (2008-07-14). "W. Bank city of Ariel gets OK for 27 new factories". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
- ^ Patience, Martin Kadima victory concerns settlers BBC, 31 March 2006
- ^ a b Kershner, Isabel (2010-09-09). "A West Bank Enclave Is on Edge". New York Times. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
- ^ "Knesset members demand annexation of Ariel settlement" Archived October 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, The Palestine Telegraph, 4 December 2010.
- ^ Efrati, Ido (June 26, 2013). "McDonald's Israel refuses to open branch across Green Line". Haaretz. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
- ^ 500 Arabs begin studies in Ariel
- ^ The Israeli Settler Movement: Assessing and Explaining Social Movement Success, Sivan Hirsch-Hoefler, Cas Mudde, Cambridge University Press
- ^ Levinson, Chaim (25 August 2010). "Major theaters raise curtain across Green Line". Haaretz.
- ^ Williams, Dan (29 August 2010). "Israeli actors boycott theatres in settlements". Reuters AlertNet.
- ^ Macintyre, Donald. "Israeli actors refuse to take the stage in settlement theatre", The Independent, 30 August 2010
- ^ Fyler, Boaz. "Yehoshua, Oz, Grossman back boycott of Ariel", Ynet News" 30 August 2010
- ^ Shamosh, Amnon (November 11, 2010). "Culture has no borders".
- ^ Israeli Artists Condemn Settlements Archived 2012-12-20 at the Wayback Machine, Jewish Voice for Peace
- ^ Miskin, Maayana (August 29, 2010). "Five Actors Withdraw from Ariel Boycott".
- ^ Westervelt, Eric. "Israeli Settlement Seeks Protection", National Public Radio
- ^ a b Hodorov, Irit (2008-09-26). "Gemini Sign". Yediot Petah Tikva. Yedioth Ahronoth.
- ^ "Mobile's Sister Cities". City of Mobile. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
External links
- Ariel municipality Home page Hebrew
- Ariel municipality Home page English
- Ariel University Home page English
- Ariel Center For The Performing Arts Home page Hebrew