Hamas are ‘freedom fighters’, says museum guide shared by taxpayer-funded charity

GUIDANCE for museums shared by a taxpayer-funded charity says that Hamas are “anti-colonial freedom-fighters” and compares their cause to Nelson Mandela’s anti-apartheid movement.

The “Inclusive Terminology Glossary”, designed to help museums avoid “offensive” language, is included on the website of the Collections Trust, a charity in receipt of Arts Council funding which sets a standard of best practice for UK museums and galleries.

Its definition of “Hamas” states that while the terrorist group’s murder of Israeli civilians should be condemned, it “remains important to recognise the anticolonial, freedom-fighting motivations of any attacks against a settler colonial state”. The guide’s definition of “terrorist” says: “In modern history, we have seen the ‘terrorist’ label applied to those who have fought against colonialism, oppression, and apartheid, perhaps most notoriously Nelson Mandela, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.”

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This so-called guide is littered with prejudice and dog-whistles”.

The Collections Trust, which received £234,232 from the taxpayer-funded Arts Council in 2022, is understood to host hundreds of thirdparty resources on the website.

A separate website for the Glossary says “all edits will be reviewed by Carissa (Chew)”. A disclaimer calls the guide a “work-in-progress” and says it is “not a definitive guide on how to describe people with protected characteristics”. It adds: “Heritage professionals are encouraged to use their best judgement and consult relevant communities and/or additional resources when the information contained within the Glossary is not sufficient.”

Ms Chew called the guide “a live, collaborative resource that provides guidance for heritage professionals regarding the decolonisation of language and metadata. It includes a section on the historic and contemporary colonisation of Palestine”.