Gay CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn said people are misunderstanding his past comments about freeing Palestine during its ongoing conflict with Israel. .“For anyone to imagine that I would ever endorse violence is horrific to me — it speaks volumes about the times we're in — I have spent my adult life fighting for justice for workers — building power and solidarity for working people to resist — to win better,” tweeted Hahn on Wednesday. .Hahn called these “deeply tragic and troubling days — days that call on all of us to be clear — so let me be clear.” He added he has never celebrated violence. .While he has called for Palestine to be freed, he said this is not violence. Criticism of governments who misuse their power over people is not violence. .Hahn concluded by saying he is “well aware that this will likely bring an onslaught from those who have labelled me in ways that are simply not true.” But these tweets were for those who might know better and to call on them to do all they can to obtain a ceasefire. .“For real respect for international law — to work for justice here and support justice around the globe,” he said. .“Every person, regardless of who they love or how they worship or how they define themselves, deserves to live in peace.”.AK Strategies Managing Principal Anthony Koch said people such as Hahn will try to gaslight everyone in the next few days. .“Remember that while everyone was watching videos and looking at photos of women and children being butchered and abducted in the streets, Hahn and his ilk were endorsing and celebrating ‘the resistance,’” said Koch. .“We know what that means.”.Woke Watch Canada accused Hahn of supporting Hamas. .“You support Antifa,” said Woke Watch Canada. “You are a crybully and a liar.”.CUPE Local 3906 said on Saturday people should show support to Hamas during the recent conflict in Israel because it is a reasonable cause. .READ MORE: Hamilton union voices support for Hamas during Israeli attack.“Palestine is rising, long live the resistance,” said CUPE Local 3906. .It was commenting on a group of Palestinians tearing down a border fence with a bulldozer.
