Photo: Courtesy of The Walled Off Hotel
In the heart of Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, British artist Banksy introduces The Walled Off Hotel. Located in Occupied Palestine Territories, just 13 feet away from the controversial 30-foot concrete barrier wall erected by Israel, known among the Palestinian population as the Apartheid Wall, each of the ten rooms has what Banksy describes as “the worst view of any hotel in the world,” and receives just 25 minutes of sunlight as day.
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The Walled Off Hotel, which officially opens to the public on Saturday, March 11, fuses the realms of art, politics, hospitality, and tourism, all under one roof. While the website asks for a $1,000 security deposit, the rooms themselves straddle the class divide. High rollers can enjoy the lavish presidential suite while the more budget-conscious can enjoy a stay in the bunk beds recovered from abandoned army barracks.
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“Walls are hot right now, but I was into them long before Trump made it cool,” Banksy announced in a statement. The artist, who rose to fame and wealth as a street artist, has long used public walls as a space for political comment. He has previously painted scenes on the Palestinian side of the barrier wall, revealing his empathy for the people forced to live under apartheid.
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Photo: Courtesy of The Walled Off Hotel