Banksy in Palestine

Since March 2017 the Walled Off Hotel has been open for business in Bethlehem, however Banksy had been active painting as early as 2003 when he painted his now iconic ‘Love is in the air’ or more commonly known Flower Thrower. We recently visited the original site (See Pic) and it has lasted very well, untouched and untagged which is measure of respect from all there.

He returned in 2005 to paint a series of works on the barrier wall including the ‘Dove of Peace’ and ‘Stop and Search’ (See Pics) this started to make people actually visit the Holy Land for other reasons than a religious trip of a lifetime, started to bring Art lovers and a whole new audience to this deeply troubled area, spawning new tourism and souvenir shops.

In 2015 he returned again to Gaza this time making a Film ‘Make this the year you discover a new destination’ and painting some really thought-provoking imagery like the Kitten playing with a coil of rusty metal and the famous watchtower seen as a children’s fairground ride. No doubt this was his planning stage for the introduction of the Walled Off Hotel.

See available Banksy Palestine artworks in our Get a Banksy Store