Unknown individuals vandalized the statue of Theodor Herzl, the founder of the state, at the entrance to the Mikveh Israel Agricultural School in central Israel on Thursday evening. The statue commemorates Herzl's historic meeting with Kaiser Wilhelm II - one of the defining moments in the history of Zionism.
According to findings at the scene, the vandals sawed off the bronze legs of Herzl's statue, which stands about seven meters tall, in an attempt to topple it. However, due to the statue's heavy weight, the attempt was unsuccessful. The vandals then moved on to damage another prominent item: they sawed off and stole the iconic hat that Herzl was holding.
Damage being repaired, police presence heightened
Since the incident, Mikveh Israel has been working to repair the damage immediately. They’ve also announced significant security reinforcements in the area to prevent similar incidents. A complaint has been filed with the police, and the event is under investigation.
The statue, created by artist Moti Mizrahi, commemorates the 1898 meeting and is considered one of the most recognized landmarks of the site. It was donated by Marguerite and Yaakov Hai, an alumnus of the institution, and serves as a focal point for thousands of students and visitors each year.
Sarit Goldstein, the CEO of Mikveh Israel, addressed the event, stating, "It is very sad to see the desecration of Herzl's statue. The statue represents not only the historic meeting but also the values that form the foundation of the Zionist vision, which we work by. This event underscores the need to monitor visitor entry to maintain campus points of interest and ensure visitor safety and security. We will work to repair the statue and continue meaningful work to educate the next generation of Israeli farmers about values and love for the land."