Haifa Museum of Art

‘McJesus’ Statue Sparks Violent Protests at Museum in Israel | Eater

"A museum's exhibition of “McJesus,” a sculpture by Finnish artist Jani Leinonen depicting a crucified Ronald McDonald, has sparked weeks of escalating tensions, including a firebomb attack and a violent confrontation in which hundreds of Arab Christian protesters attempted to storm the building to remove the work; police used tear gas and stun grenades to control rock-throwing demonstrators, three officers were injured, and one protester was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. Leinonen says he had asked months earlier for the piece to be removed after joining the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, but the request was ignored. The national minister of culture publicly urged removal, while museum leadership agreed to place a warning about potentially offensive material at the exhibit entrance and reiterated that artistic debate must not spill over into violence." - Greg Morabito