Banksy takes politically charged nativity scene to Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — mysterious street artist kwn as Banksy has displayed a politically charged nativity scene in Bethlehem, town revered as Jesus’ birthplace, just in time for busy Christmas season.

artwork, named “Scar of Bethlehem,” depicts birth of Jesus under Israel’s West Bank separation barrier with a bullet hole shaped like a star. piece is displayed at “Walled Off Hotel,” a Palestinian guesthouse in Bethlehem that is filled with Banksy’s artwork.

Wisam Salsaa, hotel manr, said British artist recently sent new piece to hotel.

“We see re is a scar,” he said. “A hole on wall marks wall and life in Bethlehem.”

hotel, which overlooks separation barrier, sarcastically boasts “ worst view in world.” Since its opening in 2017, it has become a popular tourist draw.

“Banksy is trying to remind world that people of Bethlehem, where Christmas was started, are t celebrating Christmas like rest of world,” he said.

Israel built barrier in early 2000s in what it said was a move to prevent Palestinian suicide bombers in West Bank from reaching Israel. Palestinians consider barrier illegal and call it an Israeli land grab, ting that it has engulfed large chunks of West Bank onto Israeli “side.”

Bethlehem has been affected especially hard by barrier, which surrounds large parts of city.

Tourists flocked to hotel Sunday to see nativity scene and or works by Banksy as part of ir visit to city during peak Christmas season.

Rafael Edelmuller, a 37-year-old tourist from London, said he was looking forward to seeing art after seeing most of Banksy’s work in Amsterdam and London.

“So we saw Church of Nativity and n second thing that we wanted to see was wall with Banksy hotel and artwork,” Edelmuller said.

British street artist, who carefully protects his anymity, is believed to have me several past appearances in Palestinian territories.

In one work, a mural of a girl pulled urd by balloons was painted on separation barrier facing hotel. Banksy also is believed to have sneaked into Gaza Strip to draw four murals re. One was painted on a remaining piece of a building destroyed during 2014 war between Israel and Gaza’s ruling Hamas militant group and featured Greek goddess Niobe cowering against rubble of a destroyed house.