A new Banksy piece depicting the nativity scene has appeared on a hotel wall in Bethlehem on the border of Palestine and Israel.
The “Scar of Bethlehem” artwork features a manger scene with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus surrounded by cattle.
But instead of sparkly star overlooking the scene, the urban artist has created a four-pointed bullet hole.
The piece appeared at a hotel owned by Banksy, which overlooks the border wall in the divided city.
Opened two years ago, the premises is billed as having “the worst view of any hotel in the world” and is filled with original Banksy artwork.
The highlight is room number three, known as “Banksy’s Room”, where guests sleep in a king-size bed underneath Banksy’s artwork showing a Palestinian and an Israeli having a pillow fight.
Banksy - In pictures
The artist is known for making political statements with his graffiti and has made previous forays into the Palestinian territories.
In one secret visit, he drew a girl being pulled upwards by balloons on the dividing wall. He is believed to have sneaked into Gaza to draw four street murals, including one on a metal door that depicted the Greek goddess Niobe cowering against the rubble of a destroyed house.
This is not the first Christmas related creation he has unveiled this year and earlier in the month the artist depicted a Father Christmas scene to highlight the plight of rough sleepers in Birmingham.
