British Museum director responds to pushback after Jewish Culture Month event postponed

British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan defended the postponement of a Jewish Culture Month lunchtime talk scheduled for 28 May, saying the museum should not “abandon difficult conversations” but must manage safety and access amid protest concerns. The event, to be led by Paul Collins, keeper of the Department of the Middle East, on the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah (approximately 900–50 BC), was delayed after the museum said up to 50% of registrants were suspected protesters and disruption was likely. Historian Simon Schama criticized the decision on X as “absolutely the wrong decision,” while Cullinan emphasized the talk was postponed, not canceled, and has been rescheduled for early June with details to be posted online. Cullinan argued balancing visitor experience, staff rights, and public order is “stewardship,” not censorship, amid broader pressures on UK cultural institutions.

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