CUPE executive Fred Hahn dismisses controversy over 'antisemitic' video he posted as 'old news'

“We’ll cross those bridges when we come to them,” told reporters Tuesday, noting the next vote for national vice-presidents of Canada’s largest public-sector union isn’t until spring 2026. His comments came 10 days after the as an elected national vice-president over concerns the video violated the union’s equality policy and accused him of fuelling “conflict” for refusing to resign. The former social worker and outspoken critic of Israeli attacks on Gaza expressed dismay at lingering controversy over the video, which depicted a Jewish athlete with a Star of David arm tattoo leaping off a diving board at the Paris Olympics and turning into a bomb that explodes.

I recognize that people saw that video in a way that it was not intended to be seen, and I took it down,” he said. “What I’ve heard from our members who are Palestinian is a great deal of pain,” he added. Hahn was appearing at a news conference in the legislature’s media studio with New Democrat MPPs Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre) and Jamie West (Sudbury), where they urged Premier Doug Ford’s government to pass “anti-scab” legislation that would ban employers from using replacement workers during strikes.



Aside from serving as a national vice-president of CUPE — a union that for years has been highly critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians — Hahn is the elected president of the union’s Ontario division. The Ontario arm’s executive board recently passed motions in favour of Hahn continuing as both a national vice-president and as provincial president, while calling for more training and a “greater awareness around the issues of antisemitism and anti-Palestinian racism.” As a result of the video post and the subsequent accusation from CUPE national’s executive board that it violated the union’s equality policy, Hahn has received both support and criticism from some CUPE locals, members and outside groups depending on their points of view.

Hancock, CUPE’s national president, The equality policy states the union “should neither condone nor tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.” Hahn rejected suggestions he has become a lightning rod or a distraction for the union. “I don’t think that’s true at all,” he said.

CUPE Ontario is the subject of a human rights complaint filed last November alleging systemic discrimination and promotion of antisemitism that isolates Jewish members..