In response to directives from the Home Front Command regarding incoming missiles from Iran, the Israel Museum announced Saturday that it had relocated some of its significant artworks and historical artifacts to a secure location and closed the museum to the public until further notice, according to a post on the museum’s Facebook page.
The announcement came as Israel and the United States have launched coordinated military operations against Iranian targets across the country, and Tehran has responded with missile launches toward Israeli territory and American bases across the region.
Heightened alerts from the Home Front Command have urged residents to stay near protected spaces.
Museum’s collections, cultural significance
The Israel Museum, one of the country’s foremost cultural institutions, houses significant artifacts related to Jewish history and the broader Middle East. Its collections span archaeology, fine arts, and Jewish ethnography – including biblical-era artifacts and rare manuscripts.
Among its most renowned holdings are the Dead Sea Scrolls, displayed at the Shrine of the Book, as well as extensive collections of Second Temple-period antiquities and objects central to the history of the Jewish people.
Museum officials did not disclose where or what specific artifacts or installations were moved. The closure will remain in effect until further notice, in line with Home Front Command guidance, as the security situation continues to develop.