CMHR trustees should stay in their mandated lane, Palestinian organization president says after report reveals divide over exhibition content

Ramsey Zeid, president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba, has stated that Canadian Museum for Human Rights trustees should refrain from getting involved in exhibition decisions. This comes after a report revealed disagreements over a contentious display. The museum's Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present exhibition, which opened in June, has sparked controversy.

The exhibit explores the displacement of Palestinians since 1948 and its effects on Palestinian Canadians. Zeid, who served on the exhibition's advisory committee, emphasized that the museum's trustees are responsible for ensuring the institution follows its mandate and legal obligations, rather than approving or disapproving exhibits.

He mentioned that museum staff conducted independent research and verified the content, fact-checking any concerns raised. The exhibit has faced criticism, with Gail Asper, whose family helped establish the museum in Winnipeg, withdrawing financial support due to perceived antisemitic undertones. Asper accused the exhibit of lacking proper historical context, including the expulsion of approximately 850,000 Jews from Arab countries post-Israel's declaration of independence.

CMHR CEO Isha Khan defended the exhibit, stating that Palestinian human rights stories are integral to the museum's mandate and collective memory. Despite internal disagreements, the board voted against delaying or restructuring the exhibition.