In my mind the city of Ariel is a thorn in Israel's side and a serious obstacle to peace

In my mind the city of Ariel is a thorn in Israel's side and a serious obstacle to peace

The city of Ariel, located in the West Bank, has long been a contentious issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many view Ariel as a symbol of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory and a major obstacle to achieving peace in the region. This sentiment is echoed by the late Theodore Bikel, a renowned actor, singer, and activist who was a vocal advocate for peace and justice in the Middle East.

Bikel was a staunch supporter of the two-state solution, which calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. He believed that the expansion of Israeli settlements, such as Ariel, only served to further entrench the occupation and undermine the prospects for peace. In Bikel's mind, Ariel represented the epitome of Israel's disregard for international law and the rights of the Palestinian people.

The city of Ariel was established in 1978 and has since grown into a thriving urban center with a population of over 20,000 residents. It is considered one of the largest settlements in the West Bank and is strategically located deep inside Palestinian territory, making it a major point of contention in any future peace negotiations. The presence of Ariel complicates the possibility of creating a contiguous and viable Palestinian state, as it effectively cuts off Palestinian communities from one another and restricts their freedom of movement.

Bikel was a vocal critic of Israel's settlement policy and often spoke out against the expansion of settlements like Ariel. He believed that these settlements not only violated international law but also perpetuated the cycle of violence and conflict in the region. Bikel saw the city of Ariel as a thorn in Israel's side, a symbol of its occupation and a serious obstacle to achieving a just and lasting peace.