Various Canadian Jewish organizations and social media critics are condemning the Canadian Parliament for giving a standing ovation to a man with a Nazi past during an event attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Canada.
One organization, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, stated on Twitter that they were appalled by the Parliament’s actions and demanded an apology and explanation for honoring a Ukrainian veteran who served in a Nazi military unit during World War II.
Images and videos show Canadian lawmakers cheering and honoring Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old Ukrainian immigrant who fought for the First Ukrainian Division, also known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, which served as the paramilitary arm of the Nazis under the Schutzstaffel organization.
The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center continued their statement, expressing concern over the Parliament’s applause for an individual associated with a Nazi military branch that was responsible for the murder of Jews and others and was declared a criminal organization during the Nuremberg Trials.
Those critical of the Canadian Parliament’s actions have called Hunka a “literal Nazi” and a “monster.”
In an op-ed for the Toronto Sun, Canadian columnist Joe Warmington demanded a full apology for celebrating a Second World War Nazi in the House of Commons.
While some local Canadian outlets described Hunka as a war hero who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians, others, including the Associated Press, identified him as a veteran of the First Ukrainian Division in World War II.
The Ukrainian community has been divided in their views, with some supporting Hunka as a freedom fighter and others acknowledging the troubling history of the division he served in.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office issued a statement, stating that the Speaker of the House has apologized and taken responsibility for inviting Hunka and recognizing him in Parliament. The statement clarified that neither the Prime Minister’s Office nor the Ukrainian delegation were informed about the invitation in advance.
In a statement, House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota expressed regret for inviting Hunka, stating that he was not aware of the full information about Hunka before extending the invitation.
The applause and recognition for Hunka occurred during Zelenskyy’s first visit to Canada since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of the previous year.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Canada for their support on the battlefield, financially, and with humanitarian aid, and called for Canada to continue standing with Ukraine until victory is achieved.
Trudeau, who was also present in the House of Commons, highlighted that Canada has provided approximately $6.7 billion USD in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the start of the war.
