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British Museum delays Jewish Culture Month event after learning of planned protest

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The British Museum postponed a Jewish Culture Month event on Ancient Israel and Judah due to security concerns after learning attendees planned to disrupt it.
  • The museum stated it has a responsibility to ensure events proceed safely and without intimidation, and the decision was made to protect the event.
  • Jewish groups and MPs expressed regret and concern over the cancellation, with some questioning the museum's funding and calling the decision

The British Museum postponed a scheduled talk on Ancient Israel and Judah as part of its Jewish Culture Month programming after learning that a significant number of registered attendees intended to disrupt the event. The museum announced Wednesday that the talk, slated for Thursday, was postponed "due to security concerns" and would be rescheduled.

registered attendees were individuals intending to deliberately disrupt the event, preventing others from participating in good faith and undermining the purpose of the programme.

— British MuseumExplaining the reason for the postponement.

Dr. Paul Collins, Keeper of the Department of the Middle East, was set to deliver the lecture. In a statement, the museum explained it was recently informed that a "significant proportion of registered attendees were individuals intending to deliberately disrupt the event, preventing others from participating in good faith and undermining the purpose of the programme." The museum emphasized its commitment to lawful protest and freedom of expression but also its duty to ensure the safety and security of speakers, staff, and visitors.

This decision was made to protect the event - not to diminish it.

— British MuseumStating the museum's intention behind the postponement.

Following discussions with organizers and security partners, a joint decision was made to postpone the event. "This decision was made to protect the event - not to diminish it," the museum stated. "We will continue to support Jewish Culture Month and remain committed to providing a space where history, culture, and scholarship can be explored openly, respectfully, and without disruption."

We will continue to support Jewish Culture Month and remain committed to providing a space where history, culture, and scholarship can be explored openly, respectfully, and without disruption.

— British MuseumReaffirming commitment to future events.

Reactions from Jewish community leaders and politicians were swift. The Board of Deputies of British Jews called the situation "highly regrettable" and vowed to work with the museum to reschedule. MP Priti Patel described the cancellation as a "sad indictment of the hatred our Jewish communities are experiencing." KC David Wolfson questioned the museum's funding, suggesting that publicly funded institutions should not yield to pressure. Historian Simon Sebag Montefiore lamented the circumstances, calling it "dark times," while historian Simon Schama criticized the decision as "pathetic cowardice."

highly regrettable

— Board of Deputies of British JewsDescribing the situation where individuals sought to disrupt the event.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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