By midday, guards had covered the mural and put up barriers around it, also installing CCTV cameras to monitor the area.

Hours later, the mural was covered with two metal barriers, with security officials standing watch. Source: AP / Joanna Chan

The Royal Courts of Justice, which houses the High Court, is a Grade One listed building, meaning it has the highest level of historical protection in England.

“The Royal Courts of Justice is a listed building and HMCTS are obliged to maintain its original character,” HMCTS said in a statement.

This mural is Banksy’s first since he created a lighthouse image on a wall in Marseille, France, in May, adding the stenciled phrase: I want to be what you saw in me.

Supporters say latest artwork depicts ‘brutality’ of government ban

Involvement with the organization now entails punishments of up to 14 years imprisonment, categorizing it with groups like al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State.

Human rights groups have criticised the ban as disproportionate, arguing it limits freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest.

Banksy has a well-documented record of pro-Palestinian art, having painted several significant murals on the West Bank barrier in 2005, one of which features the iconic Flying Balloon Girl. Source: Getty / Frédéric Soltan/Corbis

Banksy has previously expressed concern about conditions in Gaza. In 2015 when announcing more street art there, he described it as “the world’s largest open-air prison”, with Israel having largely controlled entry and exit from the Palestinian enclave for years.