Museum criticised for postponing Jewish exhibition

The Russell Cotes Museum insisted the exhibition had not been cancelled

A museum has postponed an exhibition on Jewish heritage over what it said were concerns about "incidences of hate crime".

The Russell-Cotes Museum in Bournemouth was planning to hold the exhibition focusing on Jewish Life in the town since 1880 from November.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism criticised the museum for "cancelling" the exhibition "in the face of threats from an anti-semitic mob".

The museum insisted the exhibition had not been cancelled and would be rescheduled.

The exhibition is part of a project funded by the National Heritage Lottery fund and researched by the Jewish Communities in Bournemouth.

It is aimed at allowing members of the Jewish community in the seaside town to record their history for future generations.

The seafront museum was due to stage the exhibition from 25 November until 15 March 2026.

In a statement the museum referred to unspecified "incidences of hate crime" in the area.

"We are proud of our diverse communities across our three towns, and we condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms."

'Fear of abuse'

Last month Dorset Police said it was alerted to a series of what they described as "hate crimes", with four reports of criminal damage and anti-semitic graffiti.

The museum said: "In planning all exhibitions, we carefully assess any potential risks.

"We recognise this is a sensitive time and due to requirements related to this event, the museum has decided to postpone the exhibition and is working with the organisers to reschedule it for a later date."

In a statement, the Campaign Against Antisemitism said the museum's decision was "shameful".

"At a time when British Jews are facing unprecedented levels of antisemitism and families are hiding their identity for fear of abuse or even violence, British institutions should be standing firm in support of Jewish life, not silencing it.

"When British Jews cannot celebrate and share their history in peace, what does that say about Britain today?

The Russell-Cotes Museum was set up as a charity in 1908 with the local council as its sole trustee.

The Grade II* listed building is the former home of Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife Annie, who amassed artefacts from their worldwide travels in the late 19th Century.