‘McJesus’ sculpture sparks outrage among Israel’s Christians
ASSOCIATED PRESS
An artwork called “McJesus,” which was sculpted by Finnish artist Jani Leinonen and depicts a crucified Ronald McDonald, was seen on display as part of the Haifa museum’s “Sacred Goods” exhibit, in Haifa, Israel, today. Hundreds of Christians calling for the sculpture’s removal protested at the museum last week.
HAIFA, Israel >> An art exhibit in Israel featuring a crucified Ronald McDonald has sparked protests by the country’s Arab Christian minority.
Hundreds of Christians calling for the removal of the sculpture, titled “McJesus,” protested at the museum in the northern city of Haifa last week. Israeli police say demonstrators hurled a firebomb at the museum and threw stones that wounded three police officers.
Church representatives brought their complaints to the district court today, demanding a suspension order for the exhibit’s most offensive items, including Barbie doll renditions of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev, who has pushed for legislation mandating “loyalty” in art, has also called for the removal of the offending artwork.
The museum has refused to bow to pressure, saying that doing so would infringe on freedom of expression.
