Reconciling National and International Interests: The Rockefeller Museum and Its Collections

A recent Israel Supreme Court ruling has allowed the transfer of the Rockefeller Museum's collections, library, and archives from East Jerusalem to West Jerusalem, challenging international law governing institutions in occupied territories. The decision asserts Israeli jurisdiction over antiquities in East Jerusalem, despite its non-recognition as part of Israel under international law. This case highlights tensions between national interests and international legal frameworks, particularly concerning the status of cultural heritage in contested regions. The Rockefeller Museum, established in 1938 during the British Mandate, has served as a pivotal institution for Palestinian antiquities, with its collections spanning Ottoman, British, Jordanian, and Israeli periods. The ruling raises broader questions about the future of institutions in East Jerusalem and the implications for cultural heritage preservation.

St. Laurent, B. (2017). Reconciling National and International Interests: The Rockefeller Museum and Its Collections. Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies, 5(1), 35–57. https://doi.org/10.5325/jeasmedarcherstu.5.1.0035