December 15, 2007

The Christmas visit to Bethlehem THIS year ..

by

Bethlehem is one of the most contentious places on earth.

Perched at the edge of the Judaen desert at the intersection of Europe, Asia and Africa in the state of Palestine it was governed by the British following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. After World War II the United Nations voted to partition the region into two states - one Jewish, one Arab and there’s been fighting ever since.

It’s obviously not the job of a loose collection of idiot doodlers to tell you what’s right or wrong about this situation, so you’re advised to do further reading yourself (this month’s National Geographic has an excellent article all about Bethlehem).

We would like to make it very clear Santa’s Ghetto is not allied to ANY race, creed, religion, political organization or lobby group. As an organisation the only thing we’ll say on behalf of our artists is that we don’t speak on behalf of our artists. This show simply offers the ink-stained hand of friendship to ordinary people in an extraordinary situation.

Every shekel made in the store will be used on local projects for children and young people. Not one cent will go to any political groups, governmental institutions or, in fact, any grown-ups at all.

Salaam.

08/12/2007





Blu






































Paul Insect













07/12/2007















Blu


























































Faile




























































Paul Insect









































































Faile



























































































































Paul Insect



























Paul Insect









































































This wall marks the spot where over 40 people were killed during the first Intafada (the little holes along the top are from bullets).
While Banksy was painting it a lot of people came over, some to shake his hand and others telling him to go away. Eventually the local MP was called out to diffuse the eighty-strong crowd that had built up (by which time Banksy had left and the piece was completed by the local kids).










































Sam3 and Erica il Cane



























































Mark Jenkins
























































Blu and friend

































































































Eva













































06/12/2007


















Blu














































Blu












































Faile



















05/12/2007



















Sam3


















Erica il Cane and Sam3















































Peter Kennard and Kat Phillips














































Paul Insect
























Erica il Cane





















Sam3





































03/12/2007

























sam3




































































Banksy





























Wisam and Sam3






































Banksy







































Banksy
































Paul Insect








































Sam3 and Erica il Cane

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