Category: The Walled Off Hotel

2025, The Walled Off Hotel

Walled Off Hotel reopened. 11 December 2025

by R.A.

Screenshot: https://walledoffhotel.com

The Walled Off closed its doors after the tragic events on 7 October 2023 and the ensuing genocide on civilians. Two years and two months later, the hotel has now officially reopened. The link to Walled Off on Banksy’s website, www.banksy.co.uk, is now active again after being idle for more than two years, and it redirects to the hotel’s official website: https://walledoffhotel.com

How to get to The Walled Off Hotel

The Walled Off Hotel is in Bethlehem, only 7 km from downtown Jerusalem and less than 2 hours from Tel Aviv Airport by public transportation. At Tel Aviv Airport, there is a railway station on the fast-train line connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The ride to Jerusalem is 40 minutes. From Jerusalem Central Station, several buses go to Checkpoint 300, which is the only passage to Bethlehem from Jerusalem. Bus lines 163, 299, and 504 will take you to the Checkpoint, and it should take no more than 30 minutes. You will have no problem walking through the Checkpoint if you have your passport and the visa paper they gave you at the airport immigration. From Checkpoint 300, it’s a 400 m walk to the Walled of Hotel at 182 Caritas Street. There are plenty of taxis after the checkpoint as well.

Is it safe to travel to Bethlehem? 

The British Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Gaza and the West Bank, except for: East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho and all areas which lie south of it (this includes the Allenby crossing). More info here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/palestine

Bethlehem is safe, and it will remain so for many reasons. Although Bethlehem is in the West Bank, an occupied territory just like Gaza, the West Bank and Gaza are two different realities. There is no Hamas presence on the West Bank. And, contrary to the media hysteria and the disinformation mayhem on social media, the Palestinians are as friendly and peaceful as the Europeans, or even more so. You will be surprised.

Maybe the crucial reason it is safe to visit is that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem 2025 years ago. The Nativity Church and many other historical sites in the West Bank are first-rate tourist destinations for Christians worldwide. Even as an atheist, one has to recognise that Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho and other places on the West Bank are central to Western civilisation. Therefore, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) or any other armed group would never bomb or attack Bethlehem – public outcry would be too loud. Do remember that the West Bank is home to many thousands of Christian Palestinians, direct descendants of the people who became Christians at the time of Jesus, 2000 years ago. Also, Bethlehem is only 7 km from Jerusalem’s Old Town – maybe the most historically significant place on earth and a true symbol of peaceful co-existence between Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Also, see previous post: https://banksyunofficial.com/2017/04/17/the-walled-off-hotel-palestine-march-2017/

2023, Films, Palestine, The Walled Off Hotel

Roger Waters of Pink Floyd co-produces new documentary on Walled Off Hotel and the Palestine situation. 21 April 2023

by R.A.

As reported by CNN on 21 April 2023:

How Banksy’s Bethlehem hotel inspired celebrity activists to tell the Palestinian story

A group of celebrity activists are trying to destigmatize being Palestinian, telling the human stories of an oppressed nation in a new documentary. The documentary “Walled Off,” takes its title from a hotel owned by anonymous British street artist Banksy in the biblical city of Bethlehem. Located a few steps from Israel’s imposing separation barrier that runs through the occupied West Bank, it bills itself as the hotel with the “worst view in the world.”

Inside, the walls are decorated with Banksy’s artwork depicting satirical views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also has a museum dedicated to informing visitors about the separation wall and providing historical context on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  It is that use of art to tell the story of a people struggling for freedom that inspired the star-studded team to make the documentary, they tell CNN.

Film director and producer Vin Arfuso joined forces with model and musician Anwar Hadid, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, and Kweku Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, to tell the story of what it’s like living under Israeli occupation.  Waters has been a years-long advocate for Palestinian rights but has stirred controversy at times, with some critics accusing him of antisemitism. He has rejected that, saying his antipathy is toward Israel’s government, not the Jewish people.  The film cuts between scenes from the hotel and historical footage of the decades-long conflict, detailing events the filmmakers say have been misrepresented by the media.

The CNN feature on the documentary: https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/banksy-hotel-palestinian-documentary-mime-intl/index.html

The trailer to the film can seen here: https://www.walledoff.org

2023, Originals, Palestine, The Walled Off Hotel

New statue at Walled Off Hotel. 25 March 2023

by R.A.

A statue of Shakespeare with a Hamlet-inspired twist has replaced one of the Walled Off Hotel collection’s most recognisable pieces, David engulfed in a cloud of tear gas. Whether David has been sold or taken away for restoration is unclear. The Shakespeare statue has reportedly stood in the WOH offices for some time. Pictures of Shakespeare were published on Facebook on March 25 by Walled Off Hotel visitor Jesse Zuefle.

Above, the Shakespeare statue, photos by Jesse Zuefle. Below, David in a cloud of teargas, photo by R.A.

2021, Palestine, The Walled Off Hotel

The Walled Off Hotel reopens. 4 December 2021

by R.A.

It has been closed for 20 months, but today The Walled Off Hotel posted a hopeful message on Facebook:

“We are pleased to inform you that the hotel doors are open for visits and overnight stays as of today. The museum is still closed due to some maintenance work. Welcome everybody.”

Screenshot: Walled Off Hotel Facebook

The hotel´s website is receiving bookings again: https://walledoffhotel.com

There seem to be some novelties on the ground floor. The section with CCTV cameras has moved to the left of the reception, where the “Mediterranean Seaview” triptych hung before it was donated to charity. Another new piece is the wood-carved model of Jerusalem’s Old Town made by the late Tawfiq Salsaa. The model was on display at Santas Ghetto in 2007 and also at Banksy vs Bristol Museum in 2009.

The wood-carved model of Jerusalem by Tawfiq Salsaa. Photo: @walledoff – The Walled Off Hotel on Facebook

2019, Originals, The Walled Off Hotel

A modified nativity set. 21 December 2019

by R.A.

A bittersweet reminder for us comfortable westerners that Christmas is not a celebration of peace, joy, and overeating for everyone.

In Banksy’s own words:

“Scar of Bethlehem. A modified nativity set for the @walledoffhotel”

20191221 - Sculpture - Nativity set- Walledoffhotel - Instagram.png
Photograph: Banksy’s Instagram

The same piece installed at the Walled Off Hotel:

20191221 - Sculpture - Scar of Betlehem - banksyarchive.png
Photograph: @banksyarchive / Instagram
2019, Originals, Palestine, The Walled Off Hotel

New piece at The Walled Off Hotel. 1 February 2019

by R.A.

Several independent Instagram accounts posted pictures of the new piece on 1 February.

Photos: @francas on Instagram

The Walled Off Hotel opened almost two years ago in Bethlehem, only six kilometres south of downtown Jerusalem, but on the other side of the wall. The Hotel is a piece of art in itself and, at the same time, a huge philosophical statement, all mixed with Banksy’s usual charm and wit. A visit is highly recommended. See the previous post: The Walled Off Hotel. Palestine, March 2017.

2018, Ephemera, The Walled Off Hotel, UK

Banksy at the World Travel Fair. London, 6 and 7 November 2018.

by R.A.

In Banksy’s own words, as announced 3 November on Instagram:

“Opening my first ever stall at a trade fair next week. I’ve painted a replica separation barrier to promote the Walled Off hotel, ironically the neighbours have complained it’s too tall. We’ll be at Palestine stand giving away free stuff, World Travel Fair, London Excel centre 6th and 7th November. Free to get in if you register online today and pretend to be a travel agent.”

A few days later, a new poster was announced. In Banksy’s own words:

“Free Palestine poster. Be advised we only have 1000 posters to hand out each day at the tourist fair. You can download one from the website at http://www.banksy.co.uk “

Wisam Salsaa handing out posters at the World Travel Fair in London. Photo: Elliot Yardley.

The “we” pronoun in Banksy’s Instagram text was represented by Walled Off Hotel manager Wisam Salsaa personally handing out the posters.

2017, Films, Palestine, The Walled Off Hotel

BBC to screen documentary on the “making of” Alternativity. 13 December 2017

by R.A.

The documentary about the performance will be screened on BBC TWO on Sunday, 17 December at 9 p.m. and is said to follow Boyle overcoming the “many restrictions” to find a cast, crew, and local children and put together the show in six weeks. The performance took place on 3 December and was co-directed by Bethlehem-based Riham Isaac.

Banksy created a promotional image for the documentary showing a drone watching over the nativity scene. (Source: BBC)

Screenshot: BBC

You can watch the documentary here:

2017, Palestine, Street Art, The Walled Off Hotel

British artist James Ame caught with a Banksy stencil and a spray can. 13 December 2017

by R.A.

British artist James Ame, a.k.a. Ame72, was caught in a photo in early December by a British tourist outside the Milk Grotto chapel in Bethlehem in front of a recently confirmed artwork by Banksy. Mr. Ame is holding a spray can and part of a stencil, which seems to fit with the star in the artwork.

James Ame participated in an exhibition curated by Steve Lazarides at Herzliya Marina in Tel Aviv in March 2017. At the same time, also in March 2017, Banksy opened his Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, just 80 km from Tel Aviv. Steve Lazarides is Banksy’s former agent. According to James Ame’s website, http://www.ame72.com, he also participated in The Cans Festival in London, the collective street art exhibition organised by Banksy in May 2008. A publicity stunt by Steve L, or is James Ame a member of the Banksy street art crew?

20171213 - Banksy's team - James Ame in Betlehem.jpeg
Photo: Jason Stellios