Backlash Erupts After British Museum Removes 'Palestine' From Displays

"The British Museum has altered its labeling of ancient Middle Eastern artifacts, removing references to "Palestine" after critics argued the term was being used inaccurately to describe civilizations that existed centuries before it was coined. The revisions came to light following recent complaints from the advocacy group U.K. Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), which argued that describing the ancient southern Levant as "Palestine" risks projecting a modern political identity onto earlier civilizations and obscuring the later emergence of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah."

"While the museum said the updates stem from audience feedback and reflect a recognition that the term is no longer historically neutral, the decision has prompted backlash, including a petition signed by more than 5,000 people accusing the institution of contributing to the erasure of Palestinian history. In an emailed statement, the British Museum said that the review of labels in its Levant gallery and some of its Egypt displays "has been underway for well over a year.""

"The region in question has had many names over the course of history, depending on the historical period. While the term "Palestine" has been considered a neutral geographical description since the later 19th century, the museum recognized that such neutrality no longer holds today because of contemporary political context involving the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine since October 7,"

The British Museum altered labels on ancient Middle Eastern artifacts by removing references to "Palestine" where critics said the term was anachronistic. U.K. Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) complained that using "Palestine" projects a modern political identity onto earlier civilizations and obscures the later emergence of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The museum said label reviews in its Levant gallery and some Egypt displays had been underway for well over a year and that updates reflect audience feedback and a recognition that the term is no longer historically neutral. Critics argue the changes bow to pressure and erase Palestinian history, and a petition gathered over 5,000 signatures.

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