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Declining attendance and donations, cuts in exhibition funding, a tarnished reputation and a board chairman, Isaac Molho – Netanyahu's former diplomatic adviser – who has served for 25 years with little oversight. The Israel Museum has become a microcosm of the state's mismanagement
Anyone who has visited Jerusalem's government compound over the past two years could not have missed the stark contrast between the country's two most important cultural institutions, located across the street from each other: the National Library and the Israel Museum. While the library, which opened in November 2023, is bustling with visitors, offers a myriad activities and even draws guests to its café and restaurant, the museum almost feels deserted. Its galleries can be quite empty, its events schedule is sparse and its opening hours are limited, as is its digital presence.
