The speaker of Canada’s House of Commons apologized Sunday for recognizing a man who fought for a Nazi military unit during World War II.

       Just after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delievered an address in the House of Commons on Friday, Canadian lawmakers gave 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka a standing ovation when Speaker Anthony Rota drew attention to him. Rota introduced Hunka as a war hero who fought for the First Ukrainian Division.

       “In my remarks following the address of the President of Ukraine, I recognized an individual in the gallery. I have subsequently become aware of more information which causes me to regret my decision to do so,” Rota said in a statement.

       He added that his fellow Parliament members and the Ukraine delegation were not aware of his plan to recognize Hunka. Rota noted Hunka is from his district.

       "I particularly want to extend my deepest apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world. I accept full responsibility for my action," Rota said.

       Related Political neophyte Stefanos Kasselakis elected new leader of Greece's main opposition Syriza party Taylor Swift turns out to see Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs play Chicago Bears NFL views Spain as likely next European city to host a game, being assessed for 2024

       Hunka could not be immediately reached for comment.

       Canadian lawmakers cheered and Zelenskyy raised his fist in acknowledgement as Hunka saluted from the gallery during two separate standing ovations. Rota called him a “Ukrainian hero and a Canadian hero, and we thank him for all his service.”

       Zelenskyy was in Ottawa to bolster support from Western allies for Ukraine’s war against the Russian invasion.

       Vladimir Putin has painted his enemies in Ukraine as “neo-Nazis,” even though Zelenskyy is Jewish and lost relatives in the Holocaust.

       Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office said in a statement that Rota had apologized and accepted full responsibility for issuing the invitation to Hunka and for the recognition in Parliament.

       “This was the right thing to do,” the statement said. “No advance notice was provided to the Prime Minister’s Office, nor the Ukrainian delegation, about the invitation or the recognition.”

       The First Ukrainian Division was also known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division or the SS 14th Waffen Division, a voluntary unit that was under the command of the Nazis.

       The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies issued a statement Sunday saying the division “was responsible for the mass murder of innocent civilians with a level of brutality and malice that is unimaginable.”

       “An apology is owed to every Holocaust survivor and veteran of the Second World War who fought the Nazis, and an explanation must be provided as to how this individual entered the hallowed halls of Canadian Parliament and received recognition from the Speaker of the House and a standing ovation,” the statement said.

       B’nai Brith Canada's CEO, Michael Mostyn, said it was outrageous that Parliament honored a former member of a Nazi unit, saying Ukrainian “ultra-nationalist ideologues” who volunteered for the Galicia Division “dreamed of an ethnically homogenous Ukrainian state and endorsed the idea of ethnic cleansing.”

       “We understand an apology is forthcoming. We expect a meaningful apology. Parliament owes an apology to all Canadians for this outrage, and a detailed explanation as to how this could possibly have taken place at the center of Canadian democracy,” Mostyn said before Rota issued his statement.

       Related Missouri says clinic that challenged transgender treatment restrictions didn't provide proper care Dolphins rout Broncos 70-20, scoring the most points by an NFL team in a game since 1966 Canadian autoworkers ratify new labor agreement with Ford

       Members of Parliament from all parties rose to applaud Hunka. A spokesperson for the Conservative party said the party was not aware of his history at the time.

       “We find the reports of this individual’s history very troubling,” said Sebastian Skamski, adding that Trudeau’s Liberal party would have to explain why he was invited.

       More about AP House of Commons Canada Justin Trudeau Nazi President Vladimir Putin Jewish Friends Simon Wiesenthal Center Ottawa Conservative Party Speaker

       1/ 1Leader of Canada's House of Commons apologizes for honoring man who fought for Nazis

       Leader of Canada's House of Commons apologizes for honoring man who fought for Nazis Canada Ukraine Zelenskyy Visit

       Promoted stories

       LOOFEN

       【生ゴミがパリパリに】生ゴミ専用の最新ゴミ箱が世界で大ヒット中ボタン1つで生ゴミのニオイやコバエとさよなら！おしゃれでコスパ抜群な乾燥式の生ゴミ処理机をおすすめします！LOOFEN| Sponsored Sponsored

       详细

       Undo

       investing.com

       They Fell In Love On Set And No One Knewinvesting.com| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       株式会社ファーマフーズ

       【アマゾンで爆売れ】明治薬品が开発した简単に歯を白くする方法【初回约52%OFF】明治薬品监修の歯磨き粉がアマゾン爆売れで大反响株式会社ファーマフーズ| Sponsored Sponsored

       详细

       Undo

       ？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

       Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

       Subscribe

       Already subscribed? Log in