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Ariel (city)

Ariel
  • אֲרִיאֵל
  • اريئيل
Hebrew transcription(s)
 • ISO 259 ʔariˀel
Ariel085.jpg
Official logo of Ariel
Logo
Ariel is located in the West Bank
Ariel
Ariel
Location of Ariel
Coordinates: 32°6′21.6″N 35°11′16.43″E / 32.106000°N 35.1878972°E / 32.106000; 35.1878972Coordinates: 32°6′21.6″N 35°11′16.43″E / 32.106000°N 35.1878972°E / 32.106000; 35.1878972
Region West Bank
District Judea and Samaria Area
Founded 1978
Government
 • Type City (from 1998)
 • Mayor Eliyahu Shaviro
Area
 • Total 14,677 dunams (14.677 km2 or 5.667 sq mi)
Population (2015)
 • Total 18,717
Name meaning Lion of God

Ariel (Hebrew: אֲרִיאֵל‎; Arabic: اريئيل‎‎) is an Israeli settlement and city in the central West Bank, part of the Israeli-occupied territories, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of the Green Line and 34 kilometres (21 mi) west of the Jordan border. Ariel was first established in 1978 and its population was 18,717 in 2015, composed of veteran and young Israelis, English-speaking immigrants, and immigrants from the Former Soviet Union, with an additional influx of 10,000 students. It is the fourth largest Jewish settlement in the West Bank, after Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit, and Ma'ale Adumim.

The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.

Ariel's jurisdiction spans 14,677 dunams (14.677 km2; 5.667 sq mi), and borders the Palestinian towns and villages Salfit, Marda and Iskaka. According to B'Tselem, within Ariel's municipal area there are several enclaves of privately owned Palestinian land, whose owners are not allowed access to them.


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Wikipedia

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