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.
The life-sized sculpture showing the Ronald McDonald clown on a cross has been at the centre of an exhibition about consumerism and religion. Other pieces depict Jesus and the Virgin Mary as Ken and Barbie children's dolls.
Protests became violent on Friday. Police said they arrested one man on suspicion of assault and were searching for two others people who threw firebombs at the Haifa Museum of Art.
Three police officers were hurt as dozens of protesters tried to forcibly enter the museum, police said. Panes of glass along its entrance were smashed. Protests continued on Saturday.
"I object to this disgraceful sculpture," said Nicola Abdo, a Haifa resident and protester. "As a Christian person ... I take deep offence to this depiction of our symbols."
The mayor of the Jewish-Arab city of Haifa said on Thursday the sculpture would be taken out of the exhibition following consultations with church leaders.
"The sculpture will be removed and returned as soon as possible," Einat Kalish Rotem tweeted. "We regret the aggravation the Christian community experienced ... and the physical injury and violence that surrounded it."
She did not say when it would be removed, but it had been due to be returned to the Finnish museum that loaned it last year at the end of the month.
