Palestinian ambassador protests to Foreign Office over ’erasure’ by British Museum
Summary
The Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, protested after the British Museum removed the name "Palestine" from some of its exhibits and replaced it with "Gaza" and "West Bank." He asked the British government to intervene and have the museum restore the name, arguing this change erases Palestinian history.Key Facts
- The UK officially recognized the state of Palestine in September 2025.
- In 2025, the British Museum removed "Palestine" from a panel showing countries in the ancient Levant and replaced it with "Gaza" and "West Bank."
- Ambassador Husam Zomlot requested the museum restore the name "Palestine" on exhibits and hold talks about the changes.
- Zomlot called the removal a historical erasure and linked it to ongoing violence and destruction in Palestinian areas.
- The British Museum says it has not removed the word "Palestine" from all displays and still uses it in some parts and on its website.
- The museum is publicly funded but managed independently by a board of trustees.
- A pressure group called UK Lawyers for Israel reportedly influenced the museum’s decision to change the exhibits.
- The UK government said museums operate independently, and decisions about collections are for their trustees to make.
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