Full Breakdown
Board Trustee Resigns Over Controversial “Palestine Uprooted” Exhibit at Canadian Museum for Human Rights
6/24/2026, 11:34:29 AM
Background & Context
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) in Winnipeg, a publicly funded institution opened in 2014, announced an upcoming exhibit titled *Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present*. The exhibit, scheduled to open to the public on Saturday after a Friday launch, focuses on the forced displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the experiences of Palestinian Canadians. Museum officials said the show was developed after recognizing that Palestinian Canadian voices were underrepresented in existing galleries. Concerns about the exhibit’s scope were raised as early as 2022 and again in November 2023 by museum founder Gail Asper and other stakeholders.
Key Figures & Groups
- Mark Berlin – former CMHR board trustee, international human-rights lawyer, appointed 2018, resigned June 22, 2026.
- Isha Khan – chief executive officer of CMHR.
- Benjie Nycum – chair of the CMHR board of trustees.
- Gail Asper – philanthropist, honorary board member, co-founder of the museum.
- B’nai Brith Canada – Jewish advocacy organization.
- Noah Shack – CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).
- Alisson Lévesque – spokesperson for Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller.
Data & Statistics
- Approximately 750,000 Palestinians were displaced during the 1948 conflict, an event the museum refers to as the “Nakba.”
- Roughly 850,000 Jews left Arab states in the same period, a displacement cited by Berlin as relevant historical context.
Official Statements & Responses
CMHR’s CEO Isha Khan emphasized that the exhibit “does not challenge the legitimacy of the state of Israel” and that it “focuses on the human-rights impacts faced by Palestinian Canadians without negating the violations experienced by Jewish people.” She described the museum’s curatorial process as “consistent, thorough, independent, and led by professionals with many years of experience.” Board chair Benjie Nycum expressed sadness at Berlin’s resignation but affirmed the board’s commitment to the exhibit’s opening. A spokesperson for Minister Marc Miller reiterated that the museum should continue “to fulfill its mission” and that the board will be “representative of the diversity of Canadian voices” as the vacancy is filled.
Criticism & Opposition
Mark Berlin argued that presenting only the Palestinian narrative “is dangerous” and could “cause further division amongst communities.” He also noted that board members were denied access to review exhibit content. Jewish groups, including B’nai Brith Canada, warned the show “risks being one-sided and historically incomplete.” CIJA’s Noah Shack called the resignation “a clear indictment of the museum’s handling of the exhibit.” Gail Asper warned that the lack of historical context could “inflame antisemitism” and urged the museum to include the displacement of Jews from Arab lands.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Berlin’s claim of limited board oversight contrasts with the museum’s assertion of curatorial independence. While the museum states that the exhibit does not comment on Zionism, critics contend that omitting the Jewish displacement narrative renders the presentation “one-sided.” No public review of the exhibit’s content by trustees has been documented, leaving the extent of internal consultation unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My quest to make this a balanced, neutral, full historical story just fell on deaf ears.” — Mark Berlin, former CMHR board trustee
- “This exhibit is not a commentary on Zionism or antizionism, nor is it a challenge to the legitimacy of the state of Israel.” — Isha Khan, CEO, CMHR
- “I definitely would protest. I am not going to attend the opening,” — Gail Asper, philanthropist and museum founder
- “In Mark’s years of service since 2018, he has contributed time, effort, wisdom, leadership and passion to the board,” — Benjie Nycum, CMHR board chair
What’s Next
The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, with a protest scheduled outside the museum on Friday. The board will seek a replacement for Berlin’s seat in the coming months. Museum officials indicated that the exhibit will proceed as planned while the institution continues to engage with community stakeholders about future programming.
