West Bank Wall graffiti art isstreet art on the walled sections of theIsraeli West Bank barrier,[1][2] by a wide range of international and Palestinian artists. The wall is 8 to 10 metres (26 to 33 ft) tall, and is easily accessible to artists as it frequently divides urban areas. The graffiti is on the Palestinian side of the wall and primarily expresses anti-wall sentiments.[3][4]
The walled section of theIsraeli West Bank barrier, known as the West Bank Wall, is 8 to 10 metres (26 to 33 ft) tall, providing artists a large, blank canvas.[5] The graffiti is on the Palestinian side of the wall and primarily expresses anti-wall sentiments.[3]
The graffiti, written in both English and Arabic, includes "flags and fists, slogans and insults, statements of pain and loss", serving as a "visual testimony" to the suffering of Palestinians under theIsraeli occupation of the West Bank.[6] The diversity and amount of street art has been described as "initially overwhelming" with "layers upon layers of street art on the Wall" after almost two decades.[5] Most of the graffiti consists of amateur tags without decorations.[5]
In 2017, prevalent text on the wall included "Palestine", "Free Palestine", "Peace", "Love", "Justice", "Hope", "Freedom", "Unity", "Solidarity", "Friendship", "Apartheid Wall", "God is Love", "God Bless Palestine", "Jesus Loves You",John 3:16, "Christmas", and criticism of US presidents and the names of visitors and their countries.[5]
The graffiti has become a tourist attraction, particularly around theBethlehem area,[7] epitomised byThe Walled Off Hotel by graffiti artistBanksy. During Banksy's 2005 trip to the West Bank, aPalestinian man acknowledged both the beauty and irony of Banksy's work, telling him: "We don't want this wall to be beautiful. We hate it. Go home."[6]
Similar toBerlin Wall graffiti art, much of the artwork is unclaimed by artists and remains anonymous. In 2005, Banksy became the first major international artist to add graffiti to the wall;[3] his stencilledFlying Balloon Girl was considered to serve as a form of "transnational and experiential empathy".[6]
Banksy was followed by many others, includingBlu, Ericailcane,FAILE,JR, Know Hope,Paul Insect,Ron English, Sam3,Swoon andLushsux.[3]
By using the term "barrier," I adhere to journalistic conventions of avoiding terms favored by one or the other side in a conflict... However, when describing sections of the barrier that are either concrete or fenced, I will use "wall" or "fence" in order to provide the most exact physical description.
The common Neutral name is the "separation barrier" and the words fence or wall are used according to the location one is referring to
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