A coalition of civil society groups is pushing back against criticism by a federal cabinet minister and Jewish organizations of an exhibit on Palestinian displacement at a national museum in Winnipeg.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a federal Crown corporation in Winnipeg, has faced a torrent of criticism over its exhibit on the Nakba — Arabic for “catastrophe.” It’s the term Palestinians use to describe Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
Culture Minister Marc Miller has said the museum failed by not naming Hamas in the exhibit, which opened to the public on June 27, as a terrorist organization that targets Jews, while Jewish and civil society groups say the exhibit portrays only one side of a complex history.
Dozens of groups issued a joint statement Wednesday voicing support for the museum and pushing back against what they call political interference in its operations.
“As publicly funded institutions governed by the public interest, museums dedicated to human rights have a responsibility to confront difficult, contested, and often painful histories. This exhibition reflects that responsibility,” the letter says.
“We are particularly concerned that calls for political intervention have, in some instances, extended beyond public advocacy into commentary from elected officials regarding the content of the exhibition.”
Here’s a look at the controversial Palestinian exhibit unveiled at Winnipeg’s human rights museum
The letter’s 74 signatories include Amnesty International, the United Church of Canada, Independent Jewish Voices and the Union of National Employees, which represents most of the Winnipeg museum staff.
They wrote political leaders should respect the independence of museums and “refrain from influencing or appearing to influence curatorial decisions” in the face of what they call an organized pressure campaign.
The Canadian Press has contacted Miller’s office for comment.
