Victoria and Albert Museum Faces Backlash for Selling Intifada Embroidery Kits
The Victoria and Albert Museum is under fire for selling Palestinian intifada embroidery kits, drawing accusations of “glorifying terrorism.” Critics have called for the museum to renounce the product and lose its public funding until an apology is issued, reports BritPanorama.
The Palestine Intifada patterns kit, priced at £40, is offered by the V&A Dundee branch, which has benefited from public funds from both the UK and Scottish governments. This kit has sparked significant outrage among critics who demand its removal.
The term intifada translates to uprising and is commonly associated with violent acts against Israel committed by Palestinians. A description of the kit on the museum’s website notes that it relates to a specific style of Palestinian dress that emerged during the First Intifada between 1987 and 1993, incorporating political symbols such as the Palestinian flag and olive branches.
Lord Walney, former adviser on political violence, expressed his concerns, stating, “Intifada embroidery seems laughably ridiculous until you remember attacks on British Jews are being justified in the name of what they are promoting.” He added, “The Intifada of 1989 referred to in this embroidery kit kicked off the terrorist stabbing, shooting, and firebombing of Israeli civilians by Hamas that continues to this day.” He asserted that public funding to the museum should cease until it issues an apology for promoting what he described as “outrageous haberdashery for Hamas.”
Labour MP Luke Akehurst added, “Glorifying terrorism has brought violence, terror and death not just to the streets of Israel for decades but to those of Manchester just a week ago. This is not just ignorant and offensive but downright dangerous and should be withdrawn immediately.”
In defense of the product, a spokesman for V&A Dundee stated, “The embroidery kit is stocked in association with our current exhibition, Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine.” The exhibition aims to explore the history of Palestinian dress and the ancient art of tatreez, characterized by remarkable beauty and cultural significance.
Representatives from the UK and Scottish governments clarified that the museum operates independently and they do not influence its merchandise.
Established in 2018, V&A Dundee is a branch of London’s renowned Victoria and Albert Museum, having received £25 million from the Scottish government and over £7 million from the UK government.
