COLD CASE FILE #8

Banksy, Israel's West Bank Barrier Graffiti
Location: Israeli West Bank Barrier, Qalandia Checkpoint, Jerusalem, Israel (31.867535,35.214829)
Time or Duration: July 2005 – Present

CRIME REPORT:
British graffiti artist Banksy stands accused of vandalism. The accused left his mark—nine images depicting themes of escapism, alternate realities, and “other sides”—on the Palestinian side of Israel’s West Bank Barrier (aka. Separation Barrier, Segregation Wall, Apartheid Wall). The Wall is composed in part of 8m high concrete slabs that, pending completion, will comprise an 800 km long barrier separating Israel from Palestine. The Israeli government initiated the Wall's construction in 2003. In 2004, the International Court of Justice in The Hague accused the Israeli government of a breech of international law. The Wall was deemed a prison for residents of annexed territories who were separated from their families, land, and vital necessities. Banksy’s marks take the Wall itself as subject matter, referring to this denial of Palestinian access to the other side. Judges are asked to consider the ethical implications of Banksy’s tourism.

DOCUMENTATION:
[CRIME SCENE] | [PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE]