newsJewish leaders are surprised and angered that the British Museum has elevated fear over culture
Secular as well as religious art that tell part of the story of the Jewish people will be on display in London when the British Museum decides to go ahead with events marking the first Jewish Cultural Month in the United Kingdom
By Trevor Grundy
Prominent Jewish cultural and religious leaders have launched a stinging attack on those organising events at the British Museum in London for postponing a talk on Jewish culture because of fears of potential protests.
The event titled “Ancient Israel and Judah in the British Museum” had been planned for this afternoon (May 28, 2026) as part of the UK’s first nationwide Jewish Cultural Month.
It was due to feature a lecture by Dr Paul Collins, the museum’s Keeper of the Middle East Department, examining the archaeology and history of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah through artefacts held at the museum.
A museum statement said that it had been informed that “a significant proportion” of those registered to attend the lecture intended to “deliberately disrupt the event.”
The statement said the decision had been taken to postpone the event in order to protect the audience and not to “diminish” the Jewish culture in any way at all.
It is understood the event will be re-scheduled for some time in June this year.
An un-named source close to the museum organisers tole Jewish News – “We are re-arranging the planned event for Jewish Culture Month and it will take place at the British Museum on a different date. Whilst we don’t comment on operational issues, after discussions with the event organisers, we agreed that precautions were needed to ensure that the event is safe and secure for staff, visitors and attendees.”
Rabbi Jonathan Romain
“The British Museum has elevated fear over culture.”
Prominent Jewish leaders in the fields of culture and religion have expressed their astonishment that the British Museum would postpone such a significant event because of fear that it could upset a group of people who are unknown and un-named.
- The historian Simon Schama branded the decision as “cowardice.”
- The veteran BBC journalist, John Simpson, called it “pathetic.”
- the author and historian Simon Sebag Montefiore said it reflected what he called “dark times.”
One of Britain’s best known and most popular religious leaders is Rabbi Jonathan Romain.
Asked how he felt about the postponement, the rabbi said – –
- “This is an astonishing capitulation. The answer should be not to cancel but to take extra care with both the admissions procedure and supervision of the exhibition. The British Museum has elevated fear over culture.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said in a statement on X: “It is highly regrettable that individuals have sought to deliberately disrupt a Jewish Culture Month event celebrating Jewish cultural heritage at the British Museum.
“We will be working with our partners at the British Museum to reschedule this event as soon as possible.”
Jewish culture month was launched this year by the Board of Deputies as a month-long celebration of the Jewish contribution to British life, and involves more than 100 events across the country spanning music, food, literature, comedy and history.
A spokesperson for the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) said: “Jewish Culture Month is supposed to be celebration of British Jewish culture, community and creativity, and has been supported by some of Britain’s great cultural institutions, including the British Museum.
“Yet the museum has now been forced to postpone an event celebrating Jewish cultural heritage due to concerns that the event would be disrupted by protesters.
“Extremists and agitators who cannot see past their hatred should not be allowed to force British Jews to live smaller lives in this country, nor prevent us from sharing our culture and heritage with the wider British public.