The Israeli Statue of Liberty

With the outbreak of the war in Israel on October 7, 2023, this statue’s meaning was bolstered: Israel must continue to fight for its liberty, and has the right to defend itself.

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A brutal massacre robbed every right to liberty from thousands of innocent citizens who were at home, young people dancing at a music festival, babies and children kidnapped to Gaza after their parents were murdered in front of them, along with hundreds of other abductees who did nothing but live freely as human beings.

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The Statue of Liberty in New York is in the image of the Roman goddess of liberty, Libertas. She wears a Roman robe and a tiara on her head with seven points that stick out like rays of sunlight in all directions, representing the projection of liberty to the seven continents of the world. She holds the torch of liberty in her hand. Chen Taoz’s creation places a large Star of David made of acrylic glass on Golda’s head, from which light shines upon the figure’s face. On the one hand it is a kind of glittering crown, and on the other it is a heavy and dazzling burden. The lights also symbolize the principles of the Jewish spirit, a light to the Gentiles, which is integrated into the Israeli spirit. Unlike the original Statue of Liberty, Golda’s hand is raised and her fist is clenched – an expression of the need to fight for the existence of her country throughout the years.

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“The Statue of Liberty in New York is aimed at the whole world, but in practice, at such a difficult time, many in the world choose to add to Israel’s suffering and difficulty, and in a shocking step, support terrorism. The Israeli Statue of Liberty gives voice to the cry: how are the leaders of countries willing to allow demonstrations in support of terrorism in their own countries, and seek to continue to limit Israel after it has suffered a horrific terrorist attack? The world needs immediate correction.”

 

​The statue in the image of Golda is a tribute to the only woman to serve as head of the Israeli government, who won one of the most difficult wars in the country’s history. “Golda was not perfect, far from it, but she is a symbol of powerful Israeliness,” Taoz says. The statue is cast in blackened bronze appropriate for the strong character of the “Iron Woman”, her standing and her ability to navigate a masculine government and security elite, and to conduct tough negotiations in the civil service both with the friendly USA and with Arab leaders. The statue’s face expresses the difficulty and terror both personally and for the life of the Israeli nation, which Golda experienced while demonstrating strength, control and courage.

 

Photography: Yaniv Gabay