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Banksy’s hotel is ‘Walled Off’ in Bethlehem

March 3, 2017 at 5:41 pm

Banksy: Probably another misguided venture into corporate hospitality – the Walled Off hotel

Internationally renowned British street artist Banksy has unveiled the Walled Off Hotel in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem to mark 100 years since the Balfour Declaration.

Drawing on hope

2005: Banksy paints nine installations on the illegal West Bank Separation Wall

2014: Banksy creates tourist videos to highlight the situation in Gaza

2017: The Walled Off Hotel opens to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the Balfour Declaration.

The hotel was given its name because it is surrounded by Israel’s illegal Separation Wall which has limited the movement of Palestinians and stifled their economy. Rooms at the hotel offer guests “the worst view of any hotel in the world” including direct views of the wall and of Israeli watchtowers.

The hotel’s 10 rooms are each decorated with creations by the controversial graffiti artists, and to mark the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, there is a museum with a life-size model of Lord Balfour signing the statement on 2 November 1917.

Banksy said he hopes to help create jobs for the local community and increase tourism.