GlobalShift

I am not a fan of graffiti. I think it’s disrespectful of property rights and is often a self-indulgent display that far too often results in the destruction of private property. Much of the older parts of European cities, for instance, are significantly marred by the heavy graffiti which covers their historic buildings.  Venice, in my opinion, is particularly damaged.

However, there are times when graffiti is a good thing, when it can be an act of peaceful resistance to unjust behavior of an oppressive state. The Berlin Wall immediately comes to mind. Many ornamented the wall with expressions of hope or protest. In instances like these, graffiti takes on a deeper human meaning and becomes something to be admired.

The Israeli West Bank Barrier is only a few years old, but its similarities to the oppression of the Berlin Wall are clear. It has been denounced by human rights groups worldwide as its construction has destroyed the property of innocent Palestinians (including important farm land) and restricted access to medical services and water sources among other violations. No question Israel has the right to defend itself from Palestinian terrorist attacks, but this is a misguided abuse of power.

The graffiti that has appeared on the wall is not only reflective of peaceful protest, but often beautiful as well. Here are a few more photos of the graffiti, but you can see much more by clicking on this: