Locals not amused at Banksy art
Published on: 20-Dec-2007
Resident of Jesus' birthplace in Bethlehem did not see the funny side when graffiti artist Banksy painted a satirical mural on a wall.They objected to the work, which was actually meant to highlight their plight.
Unfortunately, the painting of an Israeli soldier checking a donkey's identity papers did not go down too well with the locals who proceeded to paint it over.
They said the work, which was meant to be a dig at the Jewish state's strict enforcement of security measures, was offensive, as comparing someone to a donkey in Palestinian society is tantamount to calling them an idiot.
"We're humans here, not donkeys," restaurant owner Nasri Canavati told the Reuters news agency.
"This is insulting… I'm glad it was painted over," he added.
Not everyone was upset though.
Fyras Twemeh, also talking to Reuters, said he thought it was "offensive for the Israelis" but not for them.
Banksy, seemingly, just cannot keep out of the news.
Recently, councillors in the London borough of Tower Hamlet have been debating whether or not to erase some Banksy stencils from local authority property.
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