Museum displays plaque for Dahl antisemitism

BY ADAM MOSES

The Roald Dahl Museum has displayed a plaque apologising for the author’s antisemitism.

The apology is at the museum entrance in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.

Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed the decision.

A spokesman said: “Mr Dahl’s stories entertain and delight millions of children and should continue to do so. At the same time, it is important that a museum and website dedicated to the author present the full story of his life and work, and that includes its darker side.”

The museum, founded in 2001 by the author’s widow, Liccy, said in a statement: “The Dahl family and the Roald Dahl Story Company deeply apologise for the lasting and understandable hurt caused by Roald Dahl’s antisemitic statements. Those prejudiced remarks are incomprehensible to us and stand in marked contrast to the man we knew and to the values at the heart of Roald Dahl’s stories, which have positively impacted young people for generations. We hope that, just as he did at his best, at his absolute worst,

The museum condemns all racism and fully supports an apology three years ago by the Dahl family and Roald Dahl Story Company for Dahl’s antisemitic views about Jewish people.

They noted: “The centre is working to be more welcoming to all who might wish to visit in person or online, by reflecting the visible diversity of our audiences in our marketing, by running accessible and inclusive recruitment campaigns for staff or trustee positions, by training our people to better understand and welcome everyone, equitably.

“We do not repeat Dahl’s antisemitic statements publicly, but we do keep a record of what he wrote and said in the Museum’s collection, so it is not forgotten.”

Since 2021, the museum has engaged with organisations within the Jewish community including the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council, Community Security Trust and Antisemitism Policy Trust.

This process has included training for staff and trustees from the Trust.

The museum added: “We want to keep listening and talking to explore how our organisation might make further contributions towards combatting hate and prejudice, supporting the work of experts already working in this area, including those from the Jewish community.

“As a first step to do something constructive, consultation with stakeholders has led to the careful, considered development of resources for Key Stage 2 PHSE and Citizenship teaching in schools. This work seeks to combat prejudice by championing universal children’s rights, explored through the experiences of characters in Roald Dahl’s stories.”

They added: “Roald Dahl’s racism is undeniable and indelible but what we hope can also endure is the potential of Dahl’s creative legacy to do some good.”

In February, it was announced new editions of works had been made less offensive and more inclusive. Hundreds of words, including descriptions of characters’ appearances, races and genders, had reportedly been removed from some books.

In 2014, the Royal Mint refused to issue a commemorative coin to celebrate the centenary of Dahl’s birth due to his antisemitism.

Dahl in his lifetime made many inflammatory comments about Jews. CAA, Dahl noted, claimed that Jews owned the media while positive American relations toward Israel was due to excessive Jewish power.