The British Museum has postponed a lecture on the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judea that was due to be part of Jewish Culture Month after concerns that planned disruptions could prevent the event from taking place.The lecture, which was scheduled to take place on Thursday, was postponed after the museum said it became aware that a large number of registered attendees intended to disrupt the proceedings, the BBC reported.The museum said in a statement that the decision was made to ensure that the event was held in a safe and respectful environment rather than being derailed by the protests.The museum later confirmed that the lecture was titled The ancient history of Israel and Judahwill be rescheduled for early next month and will also be broadcast live to accommodate wider public interest.“We have been informed that a significant proportion of registered attendees were individuals intending to intentionally disrupt the event,” the museum said, adding that it remains committed to providing a space in which history and culture can be explored “openly, respectfully and without interruption.”The event forms part of Jewish Culture Month, a national program launched by the Board of Deputies of British Jews to celebrate Jewish history, culture and creativity through more than 100 events across Britain.
The House of Representatives described the postponement as “extremely regrettable” but said it was working with the museum to rearrange the lecture.
“Jewish Culture Month has seen many of Britain’s major cultural institutions partner with us to celebrate 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 organization wrote on the
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The decision also drew criticism from the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, which said the postponement reflected broader challenges facing Jewish cultural events in Britain.Meanwhile, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch urged the government to ensure the event goes ahead, saying Jewish cultural activities were increasingly being canceled or disrupted.The lecture was to be delivered by Paul Collins, curator of the Middle East Department at the British Museum, and was to examine archaeological and historical evidence relating to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah between about 900 BC and 50 BC.
