Palestinian Exhibit Sparks Controversy at Canadian Museum

A new exhibition titled “Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present” is set to open at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) in Winnipeg in June 2026. The exhibit will focus on the personal accounts of Palestinian Canadians who were displaced from their homes during the 1948 Arab-Israel war. While the museum celebrates the upcoming opening, some Jewish organizations are expressing concern about the exhibit’s potential lack of historical context.

Ramsey Zeid, president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba, commended the museum for its decision to tell the stories of those affected, stating, “This is a human rights story that really needs to be shared.” The use of the term “Nakba,” meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, underscores a pivotal moment in Palestinian history, during which hundreds of thousands of individuals were either forced from their homes or fled due to conflict.

In response to the announcement, Belle Jarniewski, executive director of the Jewish Heritage Centre, criticized the museum for not adequately consulting the Jewish community during the planning of the exhibit. She expressed concern that the programming might not represent the complex historical and geopolitical realities surrounding the issue, particularly amid rising antisemitism. “This exhibit will likely exacerbate our situation,” Jarniewski stated.

The Jewish Heritage Centre has a history of collaboration with the CMHR, having previously worked together on projects including Holocaust education initiatives. Due to the perceived lack of consultation regarding the Nakba exhibit, the centre announced it would withdraw from a planned program for Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 and would not seek future partnerships with the museum.

In response to these concerns, Isha Khan, CEO of the CMHR, emphasized that the exhibit is designed to reflect the lived experiences of Palestinian Canadians. “This exhibit is not a historical retrospective,” Khan explained to CBC News. “It’s about the experiences of Palestinian Canadians who have lived through forced displacement, and their families, so it’s told from their perspective.”

Khan also expressed regret over the Jewish Heritage Centre’s decision to withdraw from programming, stating that the museum remains committed to addressing antisemitism and providing robust education on the Holocaust. She reassured that the “Palestine Uprooted” exhibit is undergoing the same academic and curatorial rigor as all other exhibits hosted by the CMHR.

The ongoing dialogue surrounding this exhibit highlights the deep-seated complexities and sensitivities surrounding the narratives of both Palestinian and Jewish communities. As the opening date approaches, the CMHR is under pressure to ensure that it conveys a balanced perspective that honors the experiences of all groups involved.