ariel (; ) is an israeli settlement organized as a city council in the central west bank, part of the israeli-occupied territories, approximately east of the green line and west of the jordan border. ariel was first established in 1978 and its population was in , 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.