Posts

Banksy’s Silence on Gaza: A Surprising Shift in the Artist’s Activism

Image
Banksy , the enigmatic street artist whose works have long served as social and political commentary, has often championed the plight of the oppressed. His art has critiqued war, capitalism, and systemic injustice in stark, often haunting ways. One of his most powerful gestures was the opening of The Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem in 2017, situated near the controversial West Bank barrier. The hotel was a symbolic protest against the Israeli occupation and a tribute to Palestinian suffering. It seemed to solidify Banksy’s stance as an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights. Banksy in Gaza Given this history, I am surprised by Banksy’s silence in the wake of the ongoing violence in Gaza. The recent escalation has left thousands of Palestinians dead and displaced, drawing widespread condemnation and calls for solidarity from artists and activists globally. Yet, Banksy has remained uncharacteristically quiet. Adding to the intrigue, The Walled Off Hotel quietly closed its doors sho
Post a Comment
Read more

Banksy’s Silence on Gaza: A Surprising Shift in the Artist’s Activism

Image
Banksy , the enigmatic street artist whose works have long served as social and political commentary, has often championed the plight of the oppressed. His art has critiqued war, capitalism, and systemic injustice in stark, often haunting ways. One of his most powerful gestures was the opening of The Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem in 2017, situated near the controversial West Bank barrier. The hotel was a symbolic protest against the Israeli occupation and a tribute to Palestinian suffering. It seemed to solidify Banksy’s stance as an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights. Banksy in Gaza Given this history, I am surprised by Banksy’s silence in the wake of the ongoing violence in Gaza. The recent escalation has left thousands of Palestinians dead and displaced, drawing widespread condemnation and calls for solidarity from artists and activists globally. Yet, Banksy has remained uncharacteristically quiet. Adding to the intrigue, The Walled Off Hotel quietly closed its doors sho
Post a Comment
Read more

Norwegian Street Artist DOTDOTDOT Returns to the Streets for Nuart Festival

Image
This year, Nuart Festival in Stavanger , Norway, welcomed a powerful comeback by DOTDOTDOT , one of Norway’s renowned street artists. Known for his thought-provoking and politically charged work, DOTDOTDOT marked his return with two significant pieces: a reimagined Statue of Liberty titled Liberty Warning the World and a tribute to hip-hop culture called Haring’s Beatbox. Through these works, the artist not only pays homage to history but also raises timely concerns about the state of democracy and social inclusion. One of DOTDOTDOT’s pieces, Liberty Warning the World, is a reinterpretation of the Statue of Liberty. Originally designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and gifted by France in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has long symbolized freedom, democracy, and a welcome to immigrants arriving in the United States. In the original, Lady Liberty holds a torch in her right hand and a tablet inscribed with the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in her left. Her l
Post a Comment
Read more

Norwegian Street Artist DOTDOTDOT Returns to the Streets for Nuart Festival

Image
This year, Nuart Festival in Stavanger , Norway, welcomed a powerful comeback by DOTDOTDOT , one of Norway’s renowned street artists. Known for his thought-provoking and politically charged work, DOTDOTDOT marked his return with two significant pieces: a reimagined Statue of Liberty titled Liberty Warning the World and a tribute to hip-hop culture called Haring’s Beatbox. Through these works, the artist not only pays homage to history but also raises timely concerns about the state of democracy and social inclusion. One of DOTDOTDOT’s pieces, Liberty Warning the World, is a reinterpretation of the Statue of Liberty. Originally designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and gifted by France in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has long symbolized freedom, democracy, and a welcome to immigrants arriving in the United States. In the original, Lady Liberty holds a torch in her right hand and a tablet inscribed with the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in her left. Her l
Post a Comment
Read more

Western Hypocrisy And The Hollow Ideals of Human Rights and Accountability

For decades, international bodies and Western powers have paraded lofty ideals of human rights, justice, and accountability—concepts they insist are the bedrock of a global order. But these principles have shown themselves to be hollow, reserved only for those deemed worthy by the West, rarely applied to the oppressed. For Palestinians, these principles are a mirage, a weaponized hypocrisy that has served only to protect the powerful and keep them silent. The so-called “rules-based order” promoted by the West is little more than a charade designed to prop up Western interests and keep other nations in line. This system has been carefully crafted to give the appearance of equality, yet it is wielded selectively, rarely, if ever, offering protection or justice to those who challenge its creators. It’s painfully clear now that these institutions were never meant for the protection of all, only the few. The rule of law is a farce, a cynical pretense to ensure that those with influence are
Post a Comment
Read more

Media Bias in the Israeli War on Gaza and Lebanon

The use of language by Western media in reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reveals significant biases, shaping public perceptions in favor of Israel while dehumanizing Palestinians. A comprehensive analysis of major media outlets, such as The New York Times , The Washington Post , and The Los Angeles Times , illustrates how linguistic framing drastically differs when reporting on Israeli versus Palestinian deaths. A study by The Intercept shows that terms like “slaughter,” “massacre,” and “horrific” are frequently used to describe the deaths of Israelis, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, while the killings of Palestinians are often downplayed with passive language. This manipulation of language creates an implicit hierarchy of victimhood, where Israeli lives are deemed more tragic, and Palestinian deaths are diminished or cast into doubt by qualifiers such as “reportedly” or “according to Hamas.” A glaring example of this bias is the way media outlets
Post a Comment
Read more

Mural Tribute to Palestinian Journalists Sparks Debate in London

Image
A tribute mural dedicated to Palestinian journalists in Ilford, East London, has stirred both admiration and controversy. The artwork, painted in March by three artists from the collective Creative Debuts , honors four Palestinian reporters and photographers— Mohamed Al Masri , Ali Jadallah , Hind Khoudary , and Abdulhakim Abu Riash . The scene shows these journalists standing amidst the rubble in Gaza, a recreation of a photograph taken by Suhail Nassar . The mural, titled “Heroes of Palestine,” is seen by some as a powerful statement on the importance of journalism in conflict zones, especially during the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. Alia Shaikh, the homeowner who commissioned the piece, expressed a deep sense of helplessness over the situation in Gaza. “I think it’s important for young children to have good role models,” she said. For her, the journalists are true heroes, risking their lives to ensure the world knows what is happening on the ground. “Without them, we’d have no idea wha
Post a Comment
Read more