Coalition of Jewish Organizations Supports Canadian Museum for Human Rights Exhibition on the Palestinian Nakba

Winnipeg, MB, Nov 19. A coalition of Jewish organizations — Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV), United Jewish People's Order Canada (UJPO), and Jewish Faculty Network (JFN) — announced today their strong support for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ upcoming exhibition on the Palestinian Nakba: Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present

The coalition, representing activist, academic, and cultural-religious streams of Jewish life, commended the Museum for its commitment to presenting a historically-grounded and human rights-centered account of the events of 1948 and their continuing impact on Palestinian communities.

“We welcome the Museum’s decision to take this historic step,” said Iso Setel, spokesperson for Independent Jewish Voices. “This will be the first large museum exhibit on the Nakba in Canada. As Jews committed to opposing all forms of racism and state violence, we believe that understanding the history of the Nakba is morally urgent. Right now, we are watching a live-streamed genocide. This exhibit is an important step in Canada recognizing the long history of Palestinian ethnic cleansing, and we hope it leads to greater awareness that helps end Canada’s complicity in the ongoing devastation in Gaza.”

Jonah Corne, of the Jewish Faculty Network, emphasized that serious scholarship has long documented the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in 1948 and the destruction of hundreds of towns and villages.

“The CMHR exhibition aligns with decades of rigorous academic research,” Jonah Corne stated. “Recognizing the Nakba in a major public institution creates space for honest conversation, without which reconciliation and long-term peace are impossible. Our responsibility as scholars, and as Jews, is to support truthfulness in public memory.”

Sarena Sairan, Executive Director of UJPO Canada, framed the Museum’s decision as a profoundly Jewish act and expression of ethical testimony.

“Supporting this exhibition is an affirmation of the Jewish values of empathy, justice, and accountability,” said Sairan. “Acknowledging the Nakba does not attack Jewish identity; it strengthens our moral integrity. UJPO is committed to nurturing cultural and artistic articulation grounded in our values, and this exhibit has the potential to embody that commitment, which we commend.” 

IJV, JFN, and UJPO encourage Jewish community members. along with the broader Canadian public, to engage with the exhibition, attend educational programs, and participate in dialogue rooted in dignity and mutual respect. 

For more information or media inquiries, contact: 

Iso Setel, Interim Communications Coordinator for IJV, iso@ijvcanada.org, (514) 608-8222

Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) Canada is a grassroots organization grounded in Jewish tradition that advocates for justice and peace for all peoples in Palestine-Israel.

Jewish Faculty Network is a national network of Jewish Canadian academics. JFN members are faculty from universities and colleges across Canada who share a strong commitment to social justice in support of an ethical life, whether defined through religious observance or secular action.

The United Jewish People’s Order (UJPO) has promoted secular Jewish culture and education with a commitment to social justice since 1926.