Israeli museum to drop 'McJesus' sculpture after protests

A man stands next to a sculpture by Finnish artist Jani Leinonen, entitled "McJesus", is seen on display at Haifa Museum of Art in the northern Israeli city of Haifa January 15, 2019. Picture taken January 15, 2019.

An Israeli museum plans to withdraw a sculpture depicting the McDonald’s mascot as the crucified Jesus following protests which briefly united the country’s Christian minority, its populist culture minister and the pro-Palestinian artist.

The life-sized sculpture showing the Ronald McDonald clown on a cross has been at the center of an exhibition about consumerism and religion. Other pieces depict Jesus and the Virgin Mary as Ken and Barbie children’s dolls.