On the evening of Tuesday, May 13, members of the anti-imperialist climate organization Energy Embargo for Palestine (EEFP) staged a protest outside the British Museum after learning it was hosting a concealed event commemorating “Israeli Independence Day.”

🚨BREAKING🚨
WE ARE AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM TO PROTEST THE SECRET ISRAELI EVENT THEY ARE HOSTING

🧵⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EVFAnzn5vH

— Energy Embargo for Palestine (@EEforpalestine) May 13, 2025

The occasion marks the establishment of the Israeli entity, an event Palestinians commemorate as the Nakba, the catastrophe, marking over 77 years of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing.

According to EEFP, the British Museum did not publicly disclose the event to staff, members, or visitors. That said, insider sources indicated the event was organized by Israeli dignitaries to celebrate the "founding of Israel."

The museum has so far refused to respond to activists’ and journalists’ multiple inquiries regarding the event.

Protesters condemn museum ties to 'Israel' and BP

During the demonstration, Mara Adam of EEFP stated, "It is not lost on us that this Israeli celebration event is taking place on the evening of May 13th, coinciding with Nakba week, when Palestinians were expelled from their lands."

Hundreds of police have come out to try undermine our right to protest and to ensure an event with senior Israeli officials, celebrating Nakba Day and the genocide of Palestinians, goes ahead.

The Met police will always protect the interests of Israel. https://t.co/bMUMTMnj6W pic.twitter.com/Ego2E0iw2G

— Energy Embargo for Palestine (@EEforpalestine) May 13, 2025

According to the press release, it is unconscionable for a British public institution like the British Museum to host an event in celebration of "Israel", an entity currently perpetrating war crimes and genocide in Gaza.

Activists held banners reading “British Museum, cut ties with Israeli genocide” and “War criminals out of public institutions”, demanding the Museum reveal full details of the event, including its attendees and why staff were not informed.

Due to the protest, guests were escorted through the Museum’s back entrance.

EEFP also renewed its demand that the Museum end its partnership with BP, a company they accuse of fuelling genocide in Palestine.

Police repression and counter-protests

The protest was supported by organizations such as the Palestinian Youth Movement, Workers For a Free Palestine, Sisters Uncut, Queers For Palestine, and Artists and Culture Workers London.

A Zionist counter-protest was organized by Stop the Hate and Our Fight UK, in collaboration with the Israeli embassy and the Metropolitan Police. The police presence was significant, with officers surrounding the Museum and barricading the pro-Palestine protesters.

Read next: UK art institute accused of firing 14 staff for pro-Palestine activism

At one point, officers violently detained a protester. Protesters were later forced to discard flags and banners as a condition for leaving, under threat of arrest, and police reportedly followed demonstrators as they departed the area.

Louise Lamb from EEFP said, “Tonight’s level of repression has exceeded what we have previously experienced in our past protests outside the British Museum, revealing the deep relationship between the Museum and Israeli officials, if police were called to ensure the genocidal gala continues.”

Tuesday’s protest is part of a broader campaign by EEFP against the British Museum’s 10-year, £50-million sponsorship deal with BP.

The group has four key demands:

• End all ties to BP, including the sponsorship and related contracts
• Establish a democratic, staff-led decision-making body for political events and partnerships
• Rename the BP Lecture Theatre
• Commit to rejecting all future fossil fuel and arms industry funding

Read next: Thousands join massive pro-Palestine march in London