Latest news with #77thIndependenceDay
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
British Museum justification for Israel embassy event under scrutiny after FOI response
Revelations from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request have raised questions around the British Museum's claim that it had no say in a decision to host an event for the Israeli embassy, as it 'cannot undermine' UK foreign policy. On 13 May, the museum hosted an event organised by the Israeli embassy celebrating the anniversary of Israel's 77th Independence Day. Amid mounting anger from staff, who previously told Middle East Eye that they had been kept in the dark about the event, the museum issued statements insisting that, as an arms-length body, it cannot 'deviate from or undermine the UK government's foreign policy'. But a response to an FOI request asking for documentation evidencing this requirement reveals that the museum does not hold any legal advice or policy documents to support the claim, indicating that it did have a choice about whether or not to host the event. The response states that: 'As a Public Body, all money spent by the Museum is classified as public money and some of this money is provided by the Government. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters 'In this context it is the responsibility of the Board and the Executive, to which the Board delegates responsibility for running the Museum, to judge how the Museum must fulfil its duty to the public'. 'This duty is not prescribed but the Trustees and the Executive are helped by guidance such as the Cabinet Office Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies', it stated. The response suggests that the museum was not obliged, or otherwise forced, to hold the Israel embassy event but rather it was a choice made by its management. British Museum set to return ancient Greek statue looted from Libya Read More » A British Museum staff member described the revelations as 'very, very embarrassing'. 'This proves once again that they've been lying to British Museum employees,' the staff member told MEE. 'The museum has to give us an explanation, but also take a clear stand now because this means we don't have to follow the UK government,' they said. 'We can at least take some steps such as refusing to lend objects to Israel or have any cultural interaction with them'. They added that some members of staff are contemplating leaving as a result of management's handling of the event. 'We're all quite disgusted. I think that's the only way to put it. And we're wondering what to expect next - is there something worse?' the staff member said. 'Actively deceived' A spokesperson for the campaign group Energy Embargo for Palestine (EEFP) said that the revelations prove that the museum 'actively deceived' both its staff and the public, and 'purposefully lied about why it chose to host the event'. 'The insight obtained by MEE demonstrates that the museum was not forced to host the event, but that it chose to, and that the interests of the museum directorate are aligned with those celebrating and profiting from genocide - whether it's the Zionist consulate in Britain or BP, which it has a £50m sponsorship deal with,' the spokesperson added. 'We're all quite disgusted' - Member of staff at the British Museum MEE previously revealed that, as of 16 April, the museum had corresponded with the museum's sponsoring department, the Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS). In response to a request for comment by MEE, the British Museum said: 'Fundamentally, this was a commercial event – and as such is different to activities or events the Museum generates or hosts itself.' According to the ex-civil servant who made the FOI request, it is irregular for a non-departmental government body to engage with its sponsoring department concerning private events or anything at the level of day-to-day operational detail. Meanwhile, a separate FOI request to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology revealed an email from Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely requesting the department's secretary of state, Peter Kyle, attend the event as the 'UK government's representative' delivering the evening's 'keynote speech'. In her email, Hotovely's framing of the event suggests it was not a corporate function but a joint effort by the UK and Israeli governments 'to highlight the strong bilateral links' and to endorse 'the existence, safety and security of the State of Israel'.
Middle East Eye
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
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 Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely speaks at the event at the British Museum (Screengrab/X)
Middle East Eye
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
'Disgusted and betrayed': 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'. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters They reported that since the day, management has failed to apologise and properly respond to multiple letters by staff, one garnering 250 signatures, to demand the museum issues an 'immediate explanation and public apology,' and sever ties with Israeli institutions. Sara, the author of one of the petitions who wished to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions, told Middle East Eye there was an 'overwhelmingly widespread feeling of disgust and betrayal,' among workers across all sectors of the museum. 'They [museum management] knew what they were doing was indefensible, and they knew there would be a massive staff backlash' - staff member, British Museum Sara said she had found out about the event days before it went ahead from a colleague. 'I think the museum had deliberately limited news about this as much as possible internally, because they knew what they were doing was indefensible, and they knew there would be a massive staff backlash,' Sara told Middle East Eye. According to one of the letters seen by MEE, staff said they were only alerted about the event when they were told to leave work early and found 'a street lined with police cars'. Lina, another staff member, described the event as 'really disturbing,' reporting that 'a lot of members of staff, especially Muslim members, felt really unsafe' in the aftermath. She said that hospitality staff, who were working at the event, were 'really scared' and reluctant to participate in the petition for fear of losing their jobs, adding that agency staff brought into work the event were not informed about its nature by the museum. 'Non-responses' Staff members who spoke to MEE said they had received 'absolute non-responses' to the letters. On 21 May, the museum's director Nicholas Cullinan circulated an internal memo seen by MEE saying that when considering the request to hold the event, the museum management 'looked at the fact that other embassies had held similar events here'. 'We also considered our status as an arms length body (and each of our status as public servants) – which means that we cannot deviate from, or undermine, the UK government's foreign policy,' he added. Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage and Jimmy Carr attend secret Israeli party at British Museum Read More » 'I know that there are some who feel we should have consulted or informed staff in advance,' he said, citing 'advice of police regarding security' for the lack of transparency in the run-up to the event. Cullinan further said that he welcomed 'staff or union involvement wherever appropriate'. George Osborne, former chancellor of the Exchequer and the museum's chair, also wrote to staff saying: "We are a public body, stewards of a national collection held in trust for the public, and in receipt of large sums of taxpayers' money. Those who work for the Museum are employed as public servants. 'It is for the democratically elected government of the day, accountable to our parliament and ultimately to you as citizens, to determine our nation's foreign policy,' he continued. He added that: 'It would not be appropriate for the Museum to refuse to engage with any country with which the UK government maintains diplomatic relations - and where the government has not told us to disengage.' Sara described the responses as 'incredibly patronising'. 'I think they're very happy to pick and choose which parts of their job description they want to focus on as long as it puts more money in their pockets,' she said. According to the staff letters, the move contradicts the museum's own code of conduct and social media policy which requires 'staff to refrain from political advocacy in a personal capacity, while simultaneously committing to uphold the highest standards of ethical practice'. 'It would not be appropriate for the Museum to refuse to engage with any country with which the UK government maintains diplomatic relations' - George Osborne, British Museum chair The code 'explicitly supports staff who report unethical or illegal behaviour, and promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion as core values'. It also acknowledges that 'public activities associated with the Museum reflect upon the institution itself'. 'It is therefore essential that the Museum uphold the very values and standards it expects of its staff, ensuring that its own actions do not undermine the integrity of the institution or those who work for it,' one of the letters read. In response to a request for comment by MEE, a British Museum spokesperson said: "Fundamentally, this was a commercial event – and as such is different to activities or events the Museum generates or hosts itself. "All decisions about commercial events are taken on a non political basis and the Museum, as an arms length, can't deviate from, or undermine, the UK government's foreign policy. 'We are very aware of the strong feelings held, and respect people's rights to express their views. We can all agree that the loss of life on all sides is desperately sad. "With regards to staff, the Director and the Chair of Trustees have both been very clear that they welcome staff feedback on all matters. In this instance they both wrote to staff in response to concerns raised," adding that the lack of transparency to staff around the event "is standard for commercial events held at the Museum".
The National
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Jimmy Carr hosts secret Israeli party at British museum
On Tuesday, the Israeli embassy organised a party to celebrate the anniversary of Israel's 77th Independence Day. The party was not advertised and staff at the museum were reportedly asked to leave work early, according to the Middle East Eye. The event was hosted by television personality Jimmy Carr and was also attended by Maria Eagle, Labour's minister for defence procurement and industry, who gave a speech. READ MORE: Labour suffers blow as Albania snubs Rwanda-style scheme In her speech, Eagle boasted about the regular Royal Air Force spy planes which have been flying over Gaza on reconnaissance missions. "The UK stood with Israel, with the RAF conducting surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean in support of hostage rescue efforts," she told the room. "We stood with Israel; when Iran launched its reckless coordinated missile and drone attacks, with RAF aircraft intercepting a number of them." She added that "it's been hard over the last couple of years to see Israel going through some of the most difficult times in its history". Other politicians seen at the event were Stephen Crabb, a former Tory minister, and Britain's trade envoy to Israel, Lord Ian Austin. The event's keynote speech was given by Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, a controversial figure who once called the Nakba – when 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced and more than 500 Palestinian cities, towns and villages were destroyed by Israel in 1948 during the country's formation – an "Arab lie", and who has rejected the notion of a two-state solution. READ MORE: SNP win by-election as Reform UK beat Scottish Labour The secret party comes as Israel approved plans to "capture" and occupy Gaza for an unspecified amount of time. On the same day as the event, the UK Government was in court facing a legal challenge over its decision to continue to supply F-35 parts to Israel. While the event was kept under wraps, a protest organised by Energy Embargo for Palestine (EEFP), which describes itself as an "anti-imperialist climate organisation", took place outside the museum. A spokesperson for the group told the Middle East Eye: "It is not lost on us that Maria Eagle's speech in the British Museum comes on the same day that the UK government was brought to court by [legal groups] Glan and Al-Haq." They added that EEFP has "exposed the true face of the British Museum, which presents as a progressive institution", and that British Museum staff members were "lied to".
Middle East Eye
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage and Jimmy Carr attend secret Israeli party at British Museum
On Tuesday, staff at the British Museum were reportedly told there would be a "large corporate event" that evening. They said they were asked to leave work early. That evening, British ministers and prominent politicians were seen arriving at the country's largest museum. So was Jimmy Carr, one of Britain's most prominent television personalities. The event, which had not been advertised, was no corporate affair. This clandestine party had been organised by the Israeli embassy to celebrate the anniversary of Israel's 77th Independence Day. Word of the event had been leaked and pro-Palestine protesters arrived outside the museum gates, where they were greeted by the Metropolitan Police - who penned them into a side street. Inside the museum, the Labour ministers in attendance could listen to entertainment by the host, Carr, while rubbing shoulders with prominent opposition politicians who had been invited to the exclusive bash. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Among them was Nigel Farage - leader of Reform UK, which polls regularly indicate is the most popular party in the country. Also seen was Kemi Badenoch - leader of the Conservative party. It was quite a statement for these British politicians to attend an event at which the keynote speech was given by Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, who once called the Nakba an "Arab lie" and is an avowed opponent of the creation of a Palestinian state. More so, given that it has been less than a week since Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to "capture" Gaza and hold its territory, and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowed that Gaza would be entirely destroyed. Moreover, earlier on Tuesday, the British government was in court facing a legal challenge over its decision to allow the export of F-35 parts to a global pool that could eventually end up in Israeli jets. Monstrous that UK Government Ministers can still party in London, celebrating the British contribution to Israel's Gaza Genocide, even as starvation stalks 2 million civilians & Netanyahu publicly makes clear that he intends ethnic cleansing for the entire Palestinian population — William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) May 15, 2025 Hotovely is herself no stranger to controversy. She takes an interventionist approach to British politics. In recent months, for example, the ambassador issued an official complaint to the BBC over a documentary it aired on children in Gaza, because the child's narrator was the son of a minister in Gaza. The film was ultimately pulled. She also launched an unexpected attack on the mayor of London over his annual Eid al-Fitr message. The Israeli embassy accused him of "spouting Hamas propaganda" for talking about suffering in Gaza (Sadiq Khan's office responded accurately that he has "repeatedly" condemned Hamas). "Israel knows how to party," wrote journalist Jonny Gould in the caption of a photo he posted of himself in the museum, posing with a delighted-looking Farage. The walls inside the insitution, which is publicly funded, were lit up in blue and white, the colours of the Israeli flag, and the Israeli national anthem was played. Speech by British minister The party was imbued with a serious air when Britain's minister for defence procurement and industry, Maria Eagle, took to the stage to give a speech. She boasted about the regular Royal Air Force spy planes that have been flying over Gaza on reconnaissance missions, and of Britain's help in defending Israel from Iranian attacks. UK blocks Labour MP from asking about Israeli bombers using British airbase Read More » "The UK stood with Israel, with the RAF conducting surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean in support of hostage rescue efforts," Eagle told a rowdy crowd. "We stood with Israel; when Iran launched its reckless coordinated missile and drone attacks, with RAF aircraft intercepting a number of them." She said that "it's been hard over the last couple of years to see Israel going through some of the most difficult times in its history". But it was unclear how much of the speech the crowd heard. At one point a guest walked onto the stage and took the microphone from Eagle. "She's speaking. I know we're Israeli, I know we don't like listening for long," she told the partygoers, "but please, give her five more minutes, it's really embarassing." Eagle took it in her stride. "I'm a politician - I expect people to speak over me. You just carry on regardless," she said. The minister called for "a deal that brings a stop to the fighting, enables the release of all hostages, gets the aid flowing and establishes a political horizon with a credible and irreversible path for peace". It is unlikely that Hotovely approved of this sentiment. Her own keynote speech focused on emphasising the threat of Iran ("the most dangerous state actor in the world today") and the need to dismantle its nuclear enrichment programme. 'I'm a politician - I expect people to speak over me' - Maria Eagle, UK defence minister Stephen Crabb, a former Tory minister, was seen at the event. So was Lord Ian Austin, Britain's trade envoy to Israel. Middle East Eye spoke to Energy Embargo for Palestine (EEFP), which describes itself as an "anti-imperialist climate organisation" and organised the protest outside the museum. "It is not lost on us that Maria Eagle's speech in the British Museum comes on the same day that the UK government was brought to court by [legal groups] Glan and Al-Haq," an EEFP spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that EEFP has "exposed the true face of the British Museum, which presents as a progressive institution", and that British Museum staff members were "lied to". MEE has asked the British Museum for comment.
