Ramat Gan Museum forced to close after censorship row over David Reeb painting
The Ramat Gan Museum of Israeli Art has shut its doors after a group of 47 artists requested the removal of their works from the exhibition titled 'The Institution – the Museum and Israelism'. This closure comes just months after the museum's reopening in December following significant renovations. Pressure from Carmel Shama-Hacohen, the local mayor affiliated with Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, played a role, specifically concerning David Reeb's controversial painting 'Jerusalem (1997)'. Depicting a Haredi individual at the Western Wall, the artwork contains provocative phrases that led to its removal. The museum expressed disappointment over this situation.
Key facts
- 47 artists demanded removal of their works from Ramat Gan Museum of Israeli Art
- Museum removed David Reeb's painting 'Jerusalem (1997)' from exhibition 'The Institution – the Museum and Israelism'
- Museum had only reopened in December after extensive renovation
- Mayor Carmel Shama-Hacohen (Likud) claimed the work was racist and insulting
- Shama-Hacohen allegedly threatened the museum's funding
- Artists previously covered their works in black cloth to protest
- Museum closed with statement of 'sorrow and disappointment'
- Painting includes references to Naomi Shemer's song and the Six-Day War
Entities
Artists
- David Reeb
- Naomi Shemer
Institutions
- Ramat Gan Museum of Israeli Art
- Likud party
Locations
- Tel Aviv
- Ramat Gan
- Jerusalem
- Israel