The Russell-Cotes Art Museum in Bournemouth, England, has decided to postpone an exhibition on local Jewish history after assessing that it could pose a security risk "during this sensitive period."
The exhibition, planned to open on November 25 and run until March 15, 2026, was intended to tell the story of Bournemouth's Jewish community as part of a project funded by Britain's National Heritage Fund. The museum has now announced that the exhibition will be rescheduled for a future date yet to be determined.
Wave of antisemitism in the area
The decision comes after a series of severe antisemitic incidents in the area. Last month, a Jewish man was shot with an air rifle in Bournemouth's East Cliff neighborhood, and several cases of swastika graffiti were recorded, including one painted on a local rabbi's home.
A museum spokesperson explained: "We carefully assess potential risks when planning any exhibition. We recognize this is a sensitive period, and due to requirements related to this event, the museum has decided to postpone the exhibition and is working with organizers to reschedule it."
Harsh criticism of the decision
The Campaign Against Antisemitism organization in Britain harshly criticized the museum's decision, calling it "completely shameful." The organization accused the institution of choosing "to extinguish Jewish culture in the face of threats from an antisemitic mob."
"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," the organization's statement read.
Jewish heritage is being cancelled in Britain.
We understand that the Russell-Cotes Museum in Bournemouth has scrapped an exhibition on the illustrious history of the city's Jewish community over fears of "protest" and "security risks".
This is utterly shameful.
At a time… pic.twitter.com/mUhvcpbKcF
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) September 3, 2025
Sharp rise in antisemitism in Britain
Britain has been experiencing an unprecedented wave of antisemitism since October 7. According to Community Security Trust (CST) data, 1,521 antisemitic incidents were recorded in the first half of 2025 – the second-highest number since the organization began documenting data.
In total, the organization documented 3,528 antisemitic incidents in 2024, making it the second-worst year on record, with an 18% decrease from the 2023 peak of 4,296 incidents.
