The British Museum has postponed a lecture on ancient Israel and Judah scheduled for Jewish culture month, citing concerns that a "significant proportion" of registered attendees were planning to disrupt the event rather than absorb archaeological wisdom.
The talk, set for Thursday in the museum's BP lecture theatre, was to be delivered by Dr Paul Collins, keeper of the Middle East department. It was meant to explore the archaeology and history of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah through the museum's own artefacts, with detours into the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Maccabean revolt. The event was part of the UK's first-ever Jewish culture month, running until 16 June.
Less than 24 hours before showtime, the museum pulled the plug. In a statement, it acknowledged the importance of "lawful protest and freedom of expression" but noted a responsibility to ensure events can proceed "safely, securely and without intimidation for speakers, staff and visitors." After huddling with organizers and security partners, the museum opted to reschedule for a date "when it can take place in an environment that properly safeguards both the audience experience and the integrity of the programme itself."
George Osborne, the former Conservative chancellor now chairing the museum, shared the statement on X with the preemptive zinger: "Worth reading before speculating."
Speculation, however, arrived promptly. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Jewish commentators, and free speech advocates argued that publicly funded cultural institutions should not retreat from conversations about Jewish identity under protest threat. BBC historian Simon Schama called it cowardice sending a "terrible message." Badenoch urged the government to intervene and tell the museum to "do what's necessary" to put the event on. "Jewish culture month is meant to promote awareness of and celebrate Jewish culture in the UK," she said. "This decision achieves precisely the opposite."
Broadcaster Jonathan Sacerdoti lamented "the cancellation of Jews and Jewish events in Britain, our home," while shadow attorney general David Wolfson called it "the wrong decision, at the wrong time." The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it was "highly regrettable" that individuals sought to disrupt a celebration of Jewish cultural heritage, adding, "We will not allow the actions of extremists to prevent the British public from enjoying these events."
The decision follows a heavy security presence at an east London exhibition earlier this month recounting stories from the Nova festival, which was attacked by Palestinian militants on 7 October 2023. Jewish culture month, launched this year by the Board of Deputies, features over 100 events across the UK, with participating institutions including the V&A, Tate, and Southbank Centre. The British Museum has not specified which groups were believed to be planning protests, or whether police advice played a role.