CMHR's new 'Nakba' exhibit sparks controversy over perceived bias

The Canadian Museum of Human Rights' recent 'Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present' exhibit has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish groups and a former board member for alleged factual omissions.

In June, the Canadian Museum of Human Rights opened a new exhibit titled 'Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present,' which chronicles the displacement of Palestinians from the 1948 Arab-Israeli war to the present day. Jewish community representatives and former board member Mark Berlin have accused the exhibit of omitting key facts, such as the displacement of Jewish populations and the current Arab citizen demographic in Israel.

Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller publicly called out the exhibit for containing errors that must be addressed. Museum CEO Isha Khan responded that the exhibit is purposefully framed to present Palestinian experiences and that all exhibit text has been fact-checked and reviewed by scholars. The museum’s board is currently examining the complaints, though no decision on alterations has been announced. Gail Asper, a founding donor and honorary board member, warned that the controversy could undermine public confidence in the institution’s credibility.