British Museum Faces Criticism Over Label Changes Involving Palestine Terminology

The British Museum has faced criticism from over 200 cultural figures, including musician Brian Eno and writer Laleh Khalili, regarding changes to display labels in its Ancient Levant and Egyptian galleries. An open letter published on March 10, 2026, alleges the museum removed references to Palestine, calling it historical revisionism. Museum sources state label updates occurred in early 2025 due to staff changes and scholarship updates, not in response to a February 2026 letter from UK Lawyers for Israel. The museum maintains it continues to use Palestine in various galleries. Scholars question the new terminology, noting Palestine is historically accurate for the region. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about historical representation and terminology in museum contexts.