Middle Eastern Museums Close Amid Regional Conflict

Following Iranian retaliatory strikes, most museums across the Middle East have closed as of March 2026. In Israel, institutions like the Israel Museum in Jerusalem have activated protocols to secure collections including the Dead Sea Scrolls and Isaiah Scroll. Qatar closed all museums, heritage sites, and cultural venues on February 28. Bahrain's National Museum remains open, but the country canceled its Formula 1 Grand Prix scheduled for mid-April, as did Saudi Arabia. The United Arab Emirates plans to proceed with Art Dubai in mid-April, with most museums operating normally except Jameel Arts Centre; Louvre Abu Dhabi reports having protection plans and secure storage spaces. The closures reflect broader impacts on tourism and air traffic due to ongoing international conflicts.