Two years on from 7 October attacks, Israeli museum directors are in 'complete isolation'

"deafening silence"

"Most of our international collaborations were put on hold, delayed or cancelled,"

"At the Tel Aviv Museum, we can speak about the pain of the other and our pain and to present and hold this together,"

Israel declared independence at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art on 14 May 1948. The museum scrambled to protect its holdings after the 7 October 2023 attacks, the bloodiest day in Israel's history. The attacks and the ensuing war against Hamas produced a "deafening silence" from the art world, and most international collaborations were put on hold, delayed or cancelled. The museum has developed a reputation for political activism that the municipality supports. The museum closed partially during the "day of paralysis" in March 2023 amid protests over judicial reforms. Museum leadership has publicly called to end the war and suffering in Gaza and prioritizes showing Arab artists and engaging visitors through the "Tel Aviv Museum speaks Arabic" programme while facing criticism from across the political spectrum.

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