As Controversial "Nakba" Exhibit Opens, Concerns Grow Over Museum's Plan To Bring Political Narrative Into Canadian Classrooms

Winnipeg, MB – June 25, 2026 – Ahead of the opening of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ controversial 'Nakba' exhibit, concerns are growing over the museum's lack of transparency regarding the role played by political activists in developing the exhibit and its failure to meaningfully consult communities directly impacted by its content. Those concerns have intensified as the museum now prepares to distribute educational materials and resources connected to the controversial exhibit.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is calling on the Minister of Canadian Heritage to hold the museum's leadership accountable for failing its own standards of curation, for a lack of consultation, and even engaging extreme political activists in developing the exhibit – one of whom called a core of Jewish identity a disease to be destroyed.

CIJA is also concerned by reports the museum plans to develop and distribute educational materials related to the controversial exhibit, which can have serious real-world consequences. Materials that are one-sided and driven by a political agenda can contribute to discrimination, bullying and even assault targeting Jewish students. During discussions with museum officials, it became apparent that exhibits of this nature are not typically accompanied by dedicated educational resources for use in schools, raising important questions about why an exception is being made in this case and what review processes have been applied.

“Earlier this month, Prime Minister Carney warned against importing foreign conflicts into Canada and cautioned that when our social compact fails one community, it ultimately fails all Canadians,” said Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. “The federal government must hold the CMHR’s leadership accountable for its egregious mishandling of this exhibit.”

Lisa Lewis, an Indigenous community advocate, said the controversy demonstrates why meaningful consultation matters. “Communities are best served when consultation and dialogue occurs early, openly, and with a willingness to listen, not as a box-checking exercise. Institutions that engage constructively with concerns raised by impacted groups help foster the trust they depend on to fulfill their public mandate.”

Sean Shore, former president of a Jewish day school, expressed concern that the exhibit fails to provide students with the full context necessary to understand a complex and contested history.

"The issue is not that students are being exposed to difficult or controversial subjects. The issue is whether they are being given the full context necessary to understand them. There is a real risk that the materials in this exhibit will only serve to further exacerbate the already toxic environment for Jewish students in Canadian schools and that Jews presently face in society at large.”

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