New Knesset Museum opens, showcasing a modern interactive experience with the past

The museum was built in the old Knesset building, also known as Froumine House, located on King George Street in downtown Jerusalem.

The remarkable opportunity to retreat over time and discover a cornerstone of the history of Israel has become accessible to the public at the New Knesset Museum – The house of the old building of the Israeli Parliament.

The opening ceremony will take place on Monday and tickets will be available for the public.

The museum was built in the old Knesset building, also known as Froumine House, located on King George Street in downtown Jerusalem.

The building was the heart of the democratic policy and process of Israel, the ministers of housing, the MKS and the determination of the legislation of the country between 1950 and 1966.

Although the Knesset was transferred in 1966 to the new building of the government complex in the Givat Ram region of Jerusalem, the former Knesset building at Maison Froumine returned to life in this restoration.

The museum has been designed to go further than simply displaying historical artefacts, because it will offer its visitors an interactive experience in order to allow them to feel as if they are themselves members of the Knesset for the day.

The museum allows visitors to embark on an interactive trip with modern technology, using artificial intelligence.

Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the vote and decision -making on historical laws and discourse using AI technology, touch sensors and advanced lighting.

They can also claim to vote on historical laws and weigh on speeches that have become part of the history of Israel and have shaped the nation.

The history of the Knesset has never been more accessible

The current president of the Knesset, Amir Ohana (Likoud), pointed out that “the history of the Knesset and the State of Israel has never been so accessible”.

On Monday, the ribbon cup ceremony in honor of the opening of the Knesset Museum will take place. Officials participating in the ceremony should include Ohana, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and the mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Lion.

The group of Israeli officials will then visit the various exhibitions of the museum.

Among the exhibitions that visitors can enter are a rebuilt Knesset Plenum, presenting the space where the former leaders voted on the laws.

The plenum is made up of equipment from the moment, including the same microphones and fans that have been used.

Another place open to the public is the government chamber, where the government of Israel held its meetings in the first years of the state. The room is accessible through a hidden entrance.

Within the room is also a secret safe containing a protocol of the first Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion.

An additional exposure will use technology so that the old Knesset speaker office comes to life through portraits that seem to talk to each other.

Some of the portraits will be those of the former Knesset speakers at Maison Froumine, including Yosef Sprinzak, Kadish Luz and Nahum Nir.

Hanging on the wall, the portraits speak to each other, suddenly realizing that these are museum exhibitions and sharing stories about their work.

Kol Yisrael Broadcasting Booth of Knesset, where radio broadcasters are engaged in animated debates, is also a star exhibition within the museum.

The room allows visitors to use the original phones to hear the reports by collecting their receivers.

The museum cafeteria will be an exhibition in itself, because it was at the heart of the discussion and was considered a political arena.

The cafeteria will also display dishes that reflect the spirit of the time, such as the chopped liver and the calf foot in jelly, which were consumed at the Knesset. The cafeteria will also include original menus and old tables.

Ohana pointed out the importance of the Knesset Museum, declaring that “it is a building of national and historical importance in the history of the Jewish people, where laws have been adopted, speeches pronounced and debates that shaped the identity of the Knesset and the State of Israel.”

Ohana also noted the importance of restoring and modernizing the old building.

“Transforming it into a modern museum will deepen the knowledge of the public with its elected representatives throughout generations, will improve the understanding of parliamentary processes and strengthens culture and heritage,” said Ohana.

Moshe Chico Edri, Director General of Knesset, described the museum as “milestone in the education of future generations on the important events that took place in this house and the historical processes that have shaped the state of Israel.”

“The museum – which combined the challenges of historical events, the fundamental values of the State, technological innovation, preservation and catering – will offer visitors a unique experience adapted to the whole family.”

Tickets can be reserved from Monday via the Knesset Museum website at prices of 5 NIS for children and 10 NIS for adults.