British Museum revises historical displays after concerns over ‘Palestine’ terminology
LONDON – The British Museum in London is updating descriptions in some of its exhibits, removing references to “Palestine” and “Palestinian descent” in certain contexts, following complaints from a pro-Israel advocacy group. The changes, which began in early 2025, stem from concerns that the use of the term “Palestine” in relation to ancient periods is historically inaccurate and potentially misleading.
UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) initiated the review by writing to the museum’s director, Nicholas Cullinan, arguing that applying the name “Palestine” retroactively to eras where no such political entity existed obscures the historical record of the region, including the history of Israel and the Jewish people. The group contended that a consistent use of the name across millennia “erases historical changes and creates a false impression of continuity.” They proposed using historically accurate designations like Canaan, the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, or Judea, depending on the specific period.
The museum confirmed it is undertaking a “case-by-case” review of its displays. A spokesperson stated that information panels in the Levant gallery, covering the period 2000-300 BC, have already been updated to detail the history of Canaan and the Canaanites, as well as the rise of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. One specific alteration involved changing a panel in the Egypt galleries from “Palestinian descent” to “Canaanite descent.”
The move reflects a broader debate over the historical and political implications of terminology used to describe the region. The term “Palestine” itself has a complex history. While a variation of the name was applied to the Land of Israel by the Romans in the 2nd century CE, its earliest documented use in Greek literature dates back to the 5th century CE, and it is believed to originate from the Philistines, an ancient people mentioned in the Bible.
The museum acknowledged the scale of the task, noting that larger graphic panels and maps require significant coordination and resources. Updates will be implemented in phases as part of the museum’s long-term redevelopment plan.
“For the Middle East galleries, for maps showing ancient cultural regions, the term ‘Canaan’ is relevant for the southern Levant in the later second millennium BCE,” the museum said in a statement. “We use the UN terminology on maps that show modern boundaries, for example, Gaza, West Bank, Israel, Jordan, and refer to ‘Palestinian’ as a cultural or ethnographic identifier where appropriate.”
The changes have sparked controversy, with thousands signing an online petition urging the museum to reinstate the original terminology. The petition argues that erasing the name “Palestine” effectively erases the Palestinian people and their history. https://www.change.org/p/erasing-a-word-erases-a-people-reinstate-palestine-in-the-british-museum
UKLFI welcomed the museum’s decision to review the terminology, stating that its audience testing revealed the term “Palestine” is, in some contexts, no longer meaningful. The group suggested that other museums and cultural institutions should consider similar reviews.
The incident highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by cultural institutions regarding their presentation of historical narratives, particularly in regions with contested histories. The British Museum’s response underscores the challenges of balancing historical accuracy with contemporary political sensitivities.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
(Source: The Times of Israel)
