Canadian Parliament faces backlash for applauding WWII veteran with Nazi ties during President Zelenskyy’s visit. The controversy stirs debates about historical sensitivities and honoring war heroes
Credit: Google | Canadian Parliament’s Controversial Honoring of WWII Veteran
In a recent turn of events, the Canadian Parliament has come under intense scrutiny and criticism for giving a standing ovation to a 98-year-old Ukrainian veteran during an event featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Canada. The veteran, Yaroslav Hunka, served in the First Ukrainian Division during World War II, a unit historically associated with the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, which fought for the Nazis.
Canadian Jewish organizations, social media critics, and prominent figures have expressed their outrage over this decision. The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Canadian nonprofit dedicated to Holocaust education, condemned the Parliament’s actions, calling for an apology and an explanation. Many have referred to Hunka as a “literal Nazi” and a “monster”.
Canadian columnist Joe Warmington, writing in the Toronto Sun, demanded a “full apology” for celebrating a Second World War Nazi in the House of Commons. Local Canadian outlets reported that the Associated Press identified Hunka as a veteran of the “First Ukrainian Division in World War II”, while others described him as a Ukrainian immigrant who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians.
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JustinTrudeau, alongside President Zelenskyy, faced controversy for applauding figure linked to WWII history. #JustinTrudeau #WorldWarII #tognews #todayonglobenews #todayonglobe pic.twitter.com/ugaKgROHs3pic.twitter.com/hO0LScYrsYhttps://t.co/s5If2h8dD0 pic.twitter.com/GMRqgoSJEC
The controversy has deepened as the Soviet Union played a pivotal role in defeating Nazi Germany, a fact highlighted by the U.S. Department of State on its website. This incident has raised questions about the appropriateness of honoring someone linked to a unit responsible for the murder of Jews and others during the Holocaust.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has issued a statement, accepting responsibility for the invitation and recognition of Hunka in Parliament. The Speaker of the House, Anthony Rota, who introduced Hunka as a war hero, expressed regret for his decision, emphasizing that no one, including fellow parliamentarians and the Ukrainian delegation, was aware of his intention beforehand.
This controversy unfolded during Zelenskyy’s first visit to Canada since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of the previous year. During his visit, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Canada for its support on multiple fronts, including financial aid, humanitarian assistance, and military support, amounting to approximately $6.7 billion USD since the war began.
While this incident has generated significant debate and criticism, it remains a contentious issue highlighting the complexities surrounding historical events, war heroes, and the need for sensitivity in recognizing individuals with controversial pasts.
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