Palestinian supporters force British Museum to close early

The museum’s website stated that the demonstration, organized by Energy Embargo for Palestine, forced the doors to close to visitors as early as 2:45 p.m.

The museum usually closes at 17:00 (except Fridays).

Visitors who entered the museum before the demonstration began remained there during the demonstration.

“The British Museum respects the right of others to express their views and allows peaceful protest within the museum as long as its collections, staff and visitors are not at risk,” a museum spokesman said.

Energy Embargo for Palestine protests the museum’s collaboration with British oil and gas multinational BP, which activists say is trying to improve its public image by sponsoring the museum.

The organization says the British Museum has become a key platform through which BP seeks to ensure social acceptability and hone its image of corporate responsibility by demonstrating its contribution to British society and culture.

The Palestine Energy Embargo said in a statement back in October that BP was one of six companies granted a license to explore gas fields off the coast of Israel following the outbreak of fighting in the Gaza Strip.

Last year, the British Museum signed a new partnership agreement with BP, which will provide the museum with £50 million over ten years.

This has angered environmentalists, who have long demanded that the museum stop collaborating with fossil fuel producers.

The “Energy Embargo for Palestine” was created following the October 7 massacre in Israel by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas.