British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan defended the postponement of a Jewish Culture Month talk scheduled for 28 May, citing concerns over planned protests. The event, led by curator Paul Collins on the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah, was postponed after the museum estimated up to 50% of registered attendees were suspected protesters. Critics including historian Simon Schama called the decision wrong, but Cullinan argued the talk was not cancelled and that the museum must not abandon difficult conversations.
The controversy highlights the growing pressure on UK cultural institutions to navigate political protests and free expression debates. Cullinan framed the decision as stewardship rather than censorship, noting the museum had to balance the safety of visitors and the curator's right to speak. The incident reflects broader tensions around cultural programming amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, following earlier disputes over the museum's labeling of objects from Palestine.