The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) has decided that a staff member who posted praise for Adolf Hitler on social media will retain her position. The union issued a statement on Friday confirming that campaign officer Rawan Qaddoura will not be terminated over the controversial posts made on Twitter, now known as X, between 2012 and 2013.
Union Statement on Employee Retention
In its statement, OPSEU, Canada's largest public sector union, said it conducted a thorough review of the matter, including Qaddoura's job performance and her public apology. The union acknowledged that Qaddoura had taken full responsibility for her conduct. The posts included statements calling Hitler a 'genius' and repeating the antisemitic trope that the world is controlled by Zionist Jews.
Qaddoura's Apology and Explanation
Qaddoura issued her own statement, describing the posts as 'completely inexcusable' and expressing understanding of the harm they caused. She claimed that at the time of the posts, she lacked the 'same level of judgement, political understanding, and emotional maturity' that she has now. 'These posts do not reflect my beliefs today, nor did they meaningfully reflect any beliefs that I sincerely held at the time,' she said. She added that she regretted the distress caused to staff, members, and the broader labour movement.
Details of the Controversial Posts
The posts were archived by Canary Mission, an online antisemitism watchdog, which also documented Qaddoura's history of anti-Israel activism. In a January 2012 post, Qaddoura wrote: 'I honestly wish I was born at the time of the second world war just to see the genius, Hitler, at work.' A second post in July 2012 stated: 'Everytime I read about Hitler, I fall in love all over again.' A third post from August 2013 quoted a now-deleted account: 'The whole world is controlled by Zionist Jews and until you understand that, life will never make sense.'
Union's Decision and Commitment to Inclusion
OPSEU stated that after concluding its review, and recognizing Qaddoura's accountability for comments made as a child and her exemplary workplace conduct, she will remain on staff. The union declined to comment further on internal staffing matters. The statement also addressed concerns from Jewish OPSEU members, acknowledging that the situation does not exist in isolation. The union committed to building a union where every member, including Jewish members, feels respected and included.
Previous Concerns from Jewish Members
Two years ago, Jewish OPSEU members sent a letter to OPSEU President JP Hornick expressing concern over OPSEU flags flown at a Toronto anti-Israel rally where participants chanted support for the Houthis, a terrorist group with an antisemitic slogan. Jewish members were also upset that OPSEU ignored recommendations from its Jewish caucus and hired Independent Jewish Voices, a fringe anti-Zionist organization, to facilitate mandatory antisemitism training.
