After the storm last week in which the National Library changed its emblem and removed the blue and white, Education Minister Yoav Kisch sent a letter today to the library's management demanding: "Change the decision, the new emblem is completely detached from the Jewish people's identity."
In a letter sent by the minister, he stated: "Last week, with the launch of the new website of the National Library in preparation for the library's move to its new location, it became clear to me and the public that the library's emblem was also changed. Section 3 of the National Library Law defines the library's objectives: collecting, preserving, nurturing, and transmitting treasures of knowledge, heritage, and culture in general, and in connection with the Land of Israel, the State of Israel, and the Jewish people in particular."
The minister continued: "The previous emblem of the National Library represented the connection between the National Library, the State of Israel, Zionism, and the Jewish people in a way that reflected and perpetuated the culture and heritage of the Jewish people. The emblem featured a white book with blue edges - resembling the colors and shape of the national flag, with its blue stripes also symbolizing the prayer shawl used by the Jewish people for thousands of years."
Minister Kisch: "The new symbol of the National Library is disconnected from the identity of the Jewish people"
"Furthermore," the minister wrote, "the previous emblem honored the Hebrew language, which is the language of the state and the language of most of the writings in the library. In contrast, the new emblem of the library is completely disconnected from the Jewish people, the State of Israel, Zionism, and the Hebrew language. In the new emblem, the Hebrew language is no longer prominent and central. Additionally, the stripes and the shades of blue reminiscent of the state flag have been erased."
"It is inconceivable," the minister wrote, "that the National Library would take actions that undermine public trust in the library and erode the connection between the library, the State of Israel, Zionism, and the Jewish people. Therefore, I request that the Director-General of the library reconsider the decision regarding the aforementioned new emblem and revert to the previous emblem, at least until a symbol reflecting the mentioned values is devised." In conclusion, the minister demanded the protocols regarding the emblem change and its cost.