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Source: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/opinion-4
The "Nakba" Exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights Is a Disinformation Campaign
(National Post-Canada) Irwin Cotler and Joe Oliver - The "Palestine Uprooted" exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg demonstrates how a one-sided portrayal that advances an anti-Zionist political agenda can exacerbate burgeoning antisemitism and undermine the safety of the Canadian Jewish community. Culture Minister Marc Miller called it an "error in curation" that "should be rectified." Misinformation and disinformation must not be used to propagandize a political, ideological, theological or partisan agenda. We should acknowledge Palestinian suffering, but it is also necessary to understand who caused it and who is perpetrating it and why. Prior to Israel's independence, incoming prime minister David Ben-Gurion urged Arabs to stay. His comments were consistent with Israel's Declaration of Independence, which called on the Arab inhabitants to "participate in the building of the state on the basis of full and equal citizenship." Nevertheless, up to 750,000 fled, in part, at the urging of Arab leaders and fear of war, with the promise that they could return as soon as Israel was defeated. This evacuation would not have occurred had five Arab countries not declared war on Israel and then attacked it. Yet 150,000 Arabs remained after the war and their descendants today constitute a Palestinian minority of over two million Israeli citizens. That contrasts with 3,500-4,000 Jews currently living in Arab countries. Nearly 950,000 Jews were driven out from countries they had lived in for two millennia, starting in 1947. So Jews also suffered a "Nakba," which the UN never recognized. Neither catastrophe was caused by the creation of the State of Israel, but rather by Arab hostility to its creation. No group's refusal to recognize Israel has been more intense than that of the Palestinian leaders, with tragic consequences. On numerous occasions, Israel was prepared to sign a peace agreement with the Palestinian authorities but was repeatedly rejected. Irwin Cotler is a former Canadian Minister of Justice. Joe Oliver is a former Minister of Natural Resources and Finance.