Cultural Figures Urge UK Museum to Preserve Palestinian References

RunWithRugs · 2026-03-13T12:58:16+00:00

Over 200 cultural figures urged the British Museum to maintain references to Palestine, voicing concerns over potential cultural erasure. They criticized the museum's perceived support for Israeli policies and called for solidarity with Palestinians.

RunWithRugs

2026-03-13 12:58:16

Abstract generation in progress

(MENAFN) More than 200 cultural figures have called on the British Museum to show solidarity with Palestinians amid concerns that references to Palestine may be removed from some of its galleries, according to reports.

In an open letter to the museum’s trustees, the signatories emphasized that “Genocide extends to the cultural and historical erasure of a people.” The letter, coordinated by the campaign group Culture Unstained, includes support from actors Maxine Peake and Juliet Stevenson, musician Brian Eno, architects Jeremy Till and Sarah Wigglesworth, as well as organizations such as Jewish Artists for Palestine, Archaeologists Against Apartheid, and Artists & Culture Workers London.

The appeal follows reports that the museum amended two panels and reviewed its historical labeling of Palestine, after UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) raised concerns. The museum has denied removing the term in response to external pressure and stated that it continues to use “Palestine” in several galleries.

The letter also criticized the British Museum for actions perceived as supporting Israeli policies, citing events such as hosting the Israeli Embassy for a private party and maintaining a partnership with BP, described as profiting from what the letter calls “violent oppression” in Gaza.

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