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British Museum: Palestine

Asked by Kim JohnsonLabourDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled Answered 15 July 2026UIN 17044

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with the British Museum on public-facing signage changes referencing Palestine, Palestinian and Israelite occupation.

Answered by Ian Murray

The British Museum is curatorially independent of the Government. Decisions on signage and object labelling are made by curatorial experts at the Museum.

DCMS officials have discussed these matters with British Museum officials to understand the Museum’s decision. We note the Museum’s public statements made in February 2026, which explain the curatorial justifications for two recent changes.

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