Bethlehem residents vandalise Banksy graffiti

Bethlehem residents have painted over a satirical mural by the graffiti artist Banksy that was meant to highlight their plight.

The elusive British artist had painted six images around the town to help drum up tourism before Christmas and to illustrate the hardships faced by Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.



But the irony behind the depiction of an Israeli soldier checking a donkey's identity papers was lost on some residents, who found it offensive.

"We're humans here, not donkeys", said Nasri Canavati, a restaurateur. "This is insulting. I'm glad it was painted over." To be called a donkey in Palestinian society is similar to being called an idiot.



Most paintings in the Bethlehem series - including an image of a dove in a bulletproof vest - are still intact. However, black paint was daubed over one of Banksy's trademark stencilled rats, which is pictured catapulting stones at an Israeli military watchtower.

Mike Canawati, a shop owner, said: "We don't make jokes about kids who sacrifice their lives for their land. They are not rats - they are lions. I'm sure it's worth a lot, but it's not worth more than our dignity."