Fred Hahn accused of antisemitism for supporting Palestine, faces backlash from Ontario government and CUPE National, defending free speech and justice.

Fred Hahn, the president of CUPE Ontario and vice president of CUPE National, has steadfastly advocated for social justice, human rights, and labour solidarity throughout his career. As a proud and outspoken queer leader, Hahn has consistently championed the rights of marginalized communities, including Palestinians.

Yet, recently Hahn has come under severe attack for his outspoken stance on the ongoing genocide in Palestine. These attacks, led by the Ontario government and supported by CUPE National, are not only an assault on Fred Hahn as an individual but also a broader attempt to silence pro-Palestinian voices within the labour movement.

The Ontario government, particularly Labour Minister David Piccini, has played a major role in these attacks. Piccini’s public accusations of antisemitism against Hahn are based on a highly questionable interpretation of Hahn’s social media posts.

These posts, including a recent video posted on Facebook, while critical of the Israeli state’s actions, do not equate to hatred against Jewish people. Hahn has made it clear that conflating the actions of the Israeli government with Jewish identity is itself antisemitic. His intent was never to harm the Jewish community but to highlight the ongoing suffering of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.

The decision by CUPE National to side with the Ontario government and demand Hahn’s resignation is deeply disappointing. This move not only undermines the democratic processes within the union, which saw Hahn recently re-elected by the membership, but also betrays the values of solidarity and justice that CUPE has historically upheld.

CUPE’s failure to stand by one of its most prominent leaders sends a chilling message to all members: that the union is willing to sacrifice its principles and leaders when the political pressure becomes too great.

The attacks on Fred Hahn are not just about antisemitism—they are also about silencing a queer labour leader who has dared to speak out against the genocide of Palestinians. Hahn’s critics have seized on the controversy surrounding his social media posts to further a right-wing agenda that seeks to marginalize pro-Palestinian voices within the labour movement. This agenda is not only harmful to the Palestinian cause but also to the broader struggle for social justice and human rights.

As union members across Canada continue to advocate against genocide and Israeli apartheid, many supporters value leaders like Fred Hahn who speak out for justice in Palestine.

We must stand in solidarity with Hahn and defend his right to free speech and advocacy. The labour movement must not allow itself to be co-opted by those who would use accusations of antisemitism to suppress legitimate criticism of the Israeli state. Instead, it must continue to uphold the principles of justice, solidarity, and human rights that have long been its foundation.

In these times, the labour movement needs leaders like Fred Hahn more than ever—leaders who are unafraid to speak truth to power, stand in solidarity with oppressed peoples and embody the values of justice and equality for all. The Ontario government and CUPE National’s betrayal of Hahn is a stain on their records, and we must rally to defend one of our own.

We must stand with Fred Hahn and resist the efforts to silence his voice and, by extension, the voices of all who stand against injustice.