British Museum postpones Jewish Culture Month event over protest fears

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: British Museum postpones Jewish Culture Month event over protest fears13 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleHenry MooreBBC NewsReutersThe museum has said the decision was made to "protect the event - not to diminish it"The British Museum has postponed a Jewish Culture Month event on ancient Israel and Judah over fears of planned protests. The talk, which was scheduled for Thursday afternoon, was postponed after the London museum was told a "significant proportion" of attendees were planning to cause disruption. The museum has said the decision was made to "protect the event - not to diminish it" and later, following criticism, announced it would take place "early next month".

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said it showed that "once again, the antisemitic mob has scored a victory", while Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said Jewish acts were "being routinely cancelled". The Board of Deputies of British Jews announced last year that it was launching the first ever Jewish Culture Month, with more than 100 events taking place across the country to celebrate Jewish history and culture. The month of culture began on 16 May, and comes after several antisemitic attacks across London saw the terror threat raised to "severe".

The Details

Announcing its decision to postpone the talk, the British Museum said: "In recent days, we were 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. "In an updated statement shared on Thursday afternoon the museum said: "Alongside our partners at Jewish Culture Month, we are pleased that the rescheduled lecture, The Ancient History of Israel and Judah, will take place early next month. "Booking details will be published on our website shortly.

"We expect strong demand and will also offer a livestream to make the event accessible to a wider audience. "A respectful and secure environment for our visitors, speakers and colleagues remain our highest priority, and we are working closely with all relevant teams to ensure robust arrangements are in place, as would be expected for an event of this nature. "The museum said the decision to postpone was taken to "protect" the event and it remains "committed to providing a space where history, culture and scholarship can be explored openly, respectfully and without disruption".

The Board of British Deputies of Jews had called the postponement "highly regrettable" and said it was working with the museum to reschedule the event. A statement on X read: "Jewish Culture Month has seen many of Britain's great cultural institutions partner with us in celebration of British Jewish culture, community and creativity, and we will not allow the actions of extremists to prevent the British public from enjoying these events.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.