Stones were hurled at Israeli police who attempted to block furious Christian demonstrators

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Stones were hurled at Israeli police who attempted to block furious Christian demonstrators forcing their way into the Haifa Museum of Art to destroy the sculpture they have blasted as “disrespectful”. The confrontations were the result of a flurry of complaints made in August about the artwork that depicts the McDonald’s clown mascot and was made by Finnish artist and political activist Jani Leinonen. Eruptions took place following claims police had not responded to demands to have the controversial piece ripped down. A local Catholic priest also demanded the exhibition be closed down.

Rev Archimandrite Agapious Abu Sa'ada said: “We denounce the exhibition and the injury to the holiest symbol of Christianity by an institution that is supposed to serve citizens of all religions.” Violence broke out on Thursday after the country’s Culture Minister Miri Regev sent a letter to the museum director asking for the sculpture to be taken down. That afternoon, a petrol bomb was thrown at the nearest police station to the gallery, prompting officers to take to the streets.

On Friday, a crowd of moe than a hundred demonstrators gathered outside the gallery in protest of the sculpture and tried to force entry. Tear gas and stun grenades were used by police to disperse the mob, who only pelted officers with stones in retaliation. Three officers were rushed to hospital to get treatment for head injuries.

Up to four men were arrested, while a fifth man, aged 32, was detained

Up to four men were arrested, while a fifth man, aged 32, was detained on suspicion of attacking the police. A spokesperson for the Haifa Museum of Art said they would put up a screen or shield the McDonald’s-themed crucifixion piece from pubic view with a sign warning the artwork could be deemed offensive. But they refused to remove it altogether and added the sculpture aroused discussion among its audience.

On Friday, a crowd of more than a hundred demonstrators gathered outside the gallery