Correcting Omission of Israel from Map in Singapore Museum
One of our members has just returned from a trip to Singapore (a good partner of Israel in many aspects) where he visited the Asian Civilizations Museum.
All was fine until he entered the temporary exhibit section featuring an Agha Khan sponsored exhibition on "Islamic Architecture" - http://www.acm.org.sg/exhibitions/eventdetail.asp?eventID=796
There, to his astonishment, was a map of the Middle East and Asia where no mention of Israel was made but of Palestine instead. The first thought was that it might be an historic map but Jordan was properly featured as was Yugoslavia already divided, in short, the map was a current map. There were also dotted lines showing the PA and Gaza Territories, see attached.
Our member complained to the reception, putting this as an oversight (all the more as a proper map of the area is displayed under the West Asia section of the Museum).
The 2nd Curator (an Australian we believe) of the Museum came to discuss the issue; she was obviously aware of the problem, as another Israeli seems to have raised the issue recently. She explained to me that "this was a regional description of the area, and that the museum was not willing to make it a political issue...The First Curator has designed the map personally in order to avoid political issues".
Our member answered her that a) as an Israeli citizen, whose country has strong relationships with Singapore, I was deeply offended b) I totally disagreed with her explanation and that it was indeed a political stand made by the Museum, and that I shall bring this issue to the attention of the Israeli Consul and media.
She then decided to call in the first Curator, left and returned a few minutes later saying that "he cannot see you as he is busy" and in a very rude way departed (the conversation up to that had been quiet and polite).
Omitting Israel from a map is one more step in deligitimising the county. Therefore, we should send letters to the curator at nhb_acm_prog@nhb.gov.sg
Some of the points that can be included in a letter are
a) The good relationship between Israel and Singapore
b) The unilateral decision to wipe a member of the United Nations off the map
c) The fact that the map displayed in the West section of the museum did specify Israel
d) The presumption of the outcome of future negotiations
e) The rude attitude of the staff, a feature not normally expected of Singaporeans
All was fine until he entered the temporary exhibit section featuring an Agha Khan sponsored exhibition on "Islamic Architecture" - http://www.acm.org.sg/exhibitions/eventdetail.asp?eventID=796
There, to his astonishment, was a map of the Middle East and Asia where no mention of Israel was made but of Palestine instead. The first thought was that it might be an historic map but Jordan was properly featured as was Yugoslavia already divided, in short, the map was a current map. There were also dotted lines showing the PA and Gaza Territories, see attached.
Our member complained to the reception, putting this as an oversight (all the more as a proper map of the area is displayed under the West Asia section of the Museum).
The 2nd Curator (an Australian we believe) of the Museum came to discuss the issue; she was obviously aware of the problem, as another Israeli seems to have raised the issue recently. She explained to me that "this was a regional description of the area, and that the museum was not willing to make it a political issue...The First Curator has designed the map personally in order to avoid political issues".
Our member answered her that a) as an Israeli citizen, whose country has strong relationships with Singapore, I was deeply offended b) I totally disagreed with her explanation and that it was indeed a political stand made by the Museum, and that I shall bring this issue to the attention of the Israeli Consul and media.
She then decided to call in the first Curator, left and returned a few minutes later saying that "he cannot see you as he is busy" and in a very rude way departed (the conversation up to that had been quiet and polite).
Omitting Israel from a map is one more step in deligitimising the county. Therefore, we should send letters to the curator at nhb_acm_prog@nhb.gov.sg
Some of the points that can be included in a letter are
a) The good relationship between Israel and Singapore
b) The unilateral decision to wipe a member of the United Nations off the map
c) The fact that the map displayed in the West section of the museum did specify Israel
d) The presumption of the outcome of future negotiations
e) The rude attitude of the staff, a feature not normally expected of Singaporeans
