Banksy's Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, which closed after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war, has reopened. The hotel, originally launched in 2017, faces the West Bank barrier and was designed to bring tourism to the area while exposing guests to life under the wall. Manager Wisam Salsaa says the hotel now serves as a cultural platform amplifying Palestinian voices, with over 20 original Banksy works still on display. Room prices range from $70 for a bunkbed to $495 for the presidential suite.
The reopening matters because it reestablishes a unique art-driven space in a conflict zone, using tourism and art to foster dialogue and resilience. The hotel's gallery and mission to "disturb the comfortable" take on renewed urgency amid ongoing war and travel restrictions. It also highlights Banksy's long-standing engagement with the region, dating back to 2005 murals on the West Bank barrier, and underscores the role of art in political and humanitarian contexts.