British Museum director defends postponing Jewish Culture Month talk amid protest fears

Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, has defended the postponement of a Jewish Culture Month talk scheduled for 28 May, citing concerns over planned protests. Up to 50% of registered attendees were suspected protesters. The event, led by curator Paul Collins, was initially criticized by historian Simon Schama as "absolutely the wrong decision." Cullinan stated the talk was postponed, not canceled, and has been rescheduled for early June. He argued that balancing visitor safety and free expression is "stewardship, not censorship." The Board of Deputies of British Jews launched Jewish Culture Month with over 100 events from 16 May, involving Tate, V&A, and Museum of the Home. The British Museum previously faced controversy over allegedly removing "Palestine" from labels after pressure from UK Lawyers for Israel, though changes predated their letter.