Heritage Protection Museums under threat: ICOM fears consequences for museums in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) expresses its deep concern regarding the increasing threats facing museums and their professionals in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, caused by the current conflict.

ICOM calls on all parties to abide by the relevant international conventions on the protection of cultural heritage in times of peace and conflict.

In such challenging security situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of museum professionals, along with implementing preventive measures to safeguard museum collections, should be considered as top priorities by museum communities and national authorities.

In order to further assist the museum professionals involved in those preventive operations, a number of resources that address these critical areas are freely accessible. Among them, the following may be especially relevant:

Handbook on Emergency Procedures – ICOM Security

First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis Handbook and Toolkit – ICCROM and Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development

Endangered heritage: emergency evacuation of heritage collections – UNESCO and ICCROM

Emergency Management Resources for Cultural Heritage in Conflict, Disaster and Crisis – Blue Shield International

Any professionals seeking specific advice on museum security, documentation or conservation measures in times of emergency may feel free to contact the relevant ICOM International Committees or the ICOM Secretariat.

30 May 2024: Declaration on the protection of archives, libraries, museums and heritage places during armed conflicts and political instability 

30 January 2024: Statement condemning violence against people and their cultural heritage 

25 October 2023: Statement concerning Israel and Palestine 

 – International Council of Museums