21. Separation Barrier
Bethlehem, West Bank
2016
Giclée print on Hahnemühle photo rag paper
30 x 42 cm
$300
5/5 edition (+ AP)
The Separation Barrier and vehicle checkpoint in the north of Bethlehem. In 2002, the Israeli government decided to construct a barrier to prevent Palestinians without permits from entering Israel. This decision came during the violent years of the Second Intifada (or Palestinian uprising) and after a period of bombings and other attacks inside Israel. However, the barrier also served the Israeli state another purpose. It gave the government the opportunity to physically connect settlements in the West Bank with Israel thus becoming a tool for seperating one people (the Palestinians) from their land for the benefit of another people. Instead of running along the international recognised 1967 border (also known as the 'Green Line') 85% of the barrier sits within the Palestinian territories of the West Bank.