Activists storm the British Museum in protest over Israeli sponsorship

Pro-Palestinian activists stormed the Great Court of the British Museum in protest against billionaire Igor Tulchinsky's sponsorship of the "Bayeux Tapestry" exhibition, after it was revealed he funded projects in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The group demanded the museum end its relationship with BP and stop funding from fossil fuel and arms companies.

Pro-Palestinian activists stormed the Great Court of the British Museum in London on Monday, coinciding with the opening of the famous "Bayeux Tapestry" exhibition, in protest against billionaire Igor Tulchinsky's sponsorship of the exhibition. The move followed an investigation by Middle East Eye that revealed Tulchinsky funded a community center in the settlement of Efrat, which is under British sanctions. The group "Stop the Energy for Palestine" demanded the museum end its relationship with BP, establish a democratic body to oversee partnerships, rename the theater bearing the company's name, and stop funding from fossil fuel and arms companies. Activist Layla Azad said the museum continues partnerships with billionaires investing in illegal settlements despite sanctions. The protest comes amid controversy over Tulchinsky's sponsorship, who provided financial support of about five million pounds sterling and opened a "treatment tent" in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc. The settlement of Efrat, home to about 12,000 settlers, is located on land confiscated from four Palestinian villages. The developments coincided with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband's announcement that the Israeli occupation is "illegal" and the imposition of sanctions on settlements.