Public pressure forces museum to protect academic truth while antisemitism concerns rise across London”
The British Museum has officially rescheduled an academic lecture on ancient Jewish history after previously postponing the event over security concerns tied to a planned disruption.
Paul Collins, keeper of the museum’s Department of the Middle East, will now deliver his lecture, “Ancient Israel and Judah in the British Museum,” sometime in June as part of the institution’s Jewish Culture Month.
The museum said it expects strong public demand and will also offer a livestream so the lecture can reach a wider audience.
Administrators said they are working to ensure a respectful and secure environment for visitors, speakers and staff. The museum emphasized that exploring and understanding history remains central to its mission.
The lecture had originally been scheduled for Thursday at the BP Lecture Theatre, but was postponed after the museum said a significant proportion of ticket holders intended to deliberately disrupt the event.
The initial postponement triggered criticism from Jewish organizations and free-speech advocates, who warned that intimidation must not be allowed to silence academic discussion of Jewish history.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed the museum’s decision to reschedule the event, calling the update a positive step.
The controversy comes amid heightened concern over antisemitism in Britain, particularly in London, following recent violent attacks against Jewish residents in Golders Green and other incidents targeting Jews in public spaces.
The rescheduling sends an important message: Jewish history belongs in public institutions, academic discussion must be protected, and extremists must not be rewarded with silence.
