Banksy, the graffiti artist known for his satirical murals on the security barrier in the Bethlehem area ran into a cultural barrier of his own. Angry Palestinians painted over one of his pictures:
But the irony behind a painting of an Israeli soldier checking a donkey’s identity papers — a jab at the Jewish state’s strict security measures — was lost on some locals, who found it offensive and painted over it.
“We’re humans here, not donkeys. This is insulting. I’m glad it was painted over,” said restaurant owner Nasri Canavati. Comparing someone to a donkey in Palestinian society is like calling them an idiot.
© Divuach Ne’eman R”A, 2025
