British Museum ignores mounting staff anger over Israel event

The British Museum has ignored repeated calls by staff for a public apology following an event marking the anniversary of Israel's 77th Independence Day on 13 May.

The private gathering was organised by the Israeli embassy, with speakers including the Israeli ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, and the UK minister for defence procurement and industry, Maria Eagle. 

Reportedly, comedian Jimmy Carr, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, also attended.

Images of the event circulated online showed the museum’s great court bathed in blue light and festooned with Israeli flags.

But the museum’s staff were kept in the dark about the event - they were simply informed of a “large corporate function” and instructed to leave early on the day “with minimal notice”.

Read more: British Museum ignores mounting staff anger over Israel event