The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Library in Jerusalem Sally Meridor, former Ambassador of Israel to the United States, Chairman of the Jewish Agency and Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, warned today (Wednesday) that the intention to make a fundamental change in the National Library Law - constitutes a real threat to the continued existence of the institution
"The demand to change the law unique to the National Library, which has been maintained in the status quo for about two decades, is a real threat to the continued existence of the treasure of the Jewish people for generations," Meridor claimed. "The greatest treasure of the National Library is the public trust with which private individuals entrust their works and collections
.
For the benefit of the entire public and for the benefit of future generations.
Damage to it will endanger the continued deposit of national treasures.
In these days of division and image danger for the State of Israel, the intention to damage such an important consensus while severely damaging a national asset of the general public is puzzling," he added.
The National Library of Israel was founded in 1892, as a world center for the preservation of the spiritual treasures of the Jewish people.
In 2007, the Knesset of Israel enacted the National Library Law granting it independent status by law.
This, in order to document the cultural creation in the State of Israel and provide free access to the general public to the unique collections treasured there.
The National Library in Jerusalem (photo: official website, from Wikipedia)
"The attempt to change the law that was enacted specifically and by broad consensus, without consulting the professional bodies and the other owners of the library and its partners to change a law that was enacted specifically and by majority consensus, is gross interference. It threatens the continued existence of the National Library, the treasure of the Jewish people for generations and the cradle of Israeli culture," he claimed Marridor.
"The library must not be held hostage by any political party, whoever it is," he added.
"And this was the intention of the legislator, the governments of Israel and the ministers of education for generations. Damage to the independence of the National Library is damage to the national heritage, and to the ability of the library to continue to enjoy the vital support of the many supporters, in Israel and in the Diaspora, who privately donate their treasures and money in order to ensure the continued existence of the national institution This is so important."
The National Library emphasizes that the proposed change in the law will cause irreversible damage to the library's status, as well as damage to the private donations essential to its continued functioning - which in recent years have amounted to about a billion shekels.
The expected moving project of the library to its new location, next to the Knesset of Israel - may also be affected, given the proposed changes in the law.
on the law
The National Library Law emphasizes the importance of the independence of the library and its officials, as the members of the Knesset established the law in their legislation.
"It is important to guarantee the autonomy of the library" - this was determined, back in 1998, by an international inspection committee established by the then Minister of Education Zebulon Hamer, the then president of the Hebrew University Hanoch Nottfreund, and Lord Rothschild, and composed of senior officials of the largest national libraries in the world.
In its recommendations, the committee emphasized that "the establishment of an independent board of directors, which will have full control and authority over the library, is the key to the revival of the national library."
"The National Library should be a remote professional body and exempt from any government involvement in its day-to-day management," argued the head of the committee, Prof. Zamir, during the legislative process in 2004. There will be no involvement or influence from the government,
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The dedicated law for the library was supported by a majority of consensus, and has since been maintained in the status quo for about two decades.
It was submitted by 59 MKs from the vast majority of the House factions - among them secular, ultra-Orthodox, traditional and religious, left and right - and passed the first reading with a majority of 68 supporters against 0 opponents. The final version was accepted by the Knesset in 2007, without any opposition.
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