Anti-Israel Protests Lead to Closure of Seattle Museum Exhibit, Employee Walkout

A Seattle-based museum is facing controversy after employees accused its exhibit of inadvertently supporting Israel, leading to a temporary closure.

The Wing Luke Museum was the center of attention as more than 20 employees walked out in opposition to the "Confronting Hate Together" exhibit, which they claim "conflated anti-Zionism as antisemitism."

The strike, comprised of a mix of full-time staff and part-time workers, highlighted the vulnerability of the museum's employees, particularly those in front-facing roles and part-time positions. The employee collective emphasized that the exhibit fails to represent the perspectives of Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslim communities who are also experiencing violence and demonization.

Demands and Fundraising

Among the striking employees' demands is the removal of language that frames Palestinian liberation and anti-Zionism as antisemitism, as well as the acknowledgment of limited perspectives presented in the exhibition.

Additionally, the employees launched a GoFundMe campaign to compensate for missed wages, raising $3,939 by Sunday afternoon. The funds were intended to provide financial relief for the employees to cover living expenses and to support the walkout effort.

In response to the strikes, the Wing Luke Museum issued a sympathetic statement, acknowledging and supporting the right of its staff to express their beliefs and personal truths. The museum expressed its commitment to a careful and thoughtful process of listening to multiple perspectives in pursuit of a mutual way forward.

The museum's decision to temporarily close in response to the strike was met with both support and criticism. Some commenters expressed disappointment, citing concerns about making life less safe and more isolated for Jewish communities, while others defended the need for diverse opinions and dialog.