Lawmakers Thank a Veteran during Zelenskyy’s Canada Visit

A high-ranking Canadian congressman is expressing regret to Jewish communities all over the world for a mistake made during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which resulted in lawmakers recognizing and thank a veteran who is alleged to have belonged to a Nazi division during World War II.

Thank a Veteran

A Canadian Parliamentarian apologized to the Jewish communities around the world which led lawmakers to thank a veteran that was accused of belonging to Nazi division in WWII. It happened during the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit.

The Canadian Jewish organization asked for an apology on Sunday when it was revealed members of Parliament awarded and thank a veteran. The 98-year-old veteran had a standing ovation on Friday after Zelenskyy addressed Canada’s House of Commons.

In a report by POLITICO, Yaroslav Hunka gave his salute to the public gallery when he was recognized by House Speaker Anthony Rota, who thank a veteran and introduced him as a Canadian-Ukrainian war hero from his political district.

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In another report by NBC News, Jewish advocacy groups the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center and B’nai Brith Canada condemned his honoring as disturbing and “beyond outrageous” because he fought with the First Ukrainian Division — also known as the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division, which served under command of the Nazis. With his dedication, they should thank a veteran.

In a news by The Forward, a Jewish news website, Hunka wrote blog posts describing the time that he served in the unit on a Ukrainian-language website which was operated by “Combatant News”, an association of the unit’s veterans.

Rota on a statement he had on Saturday afternoon, became aware of more information that caused him to regret his decision to recognize Hunka and thank a veteran. He also takes full responsibility for the seismic gaffe.

Conservative opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre commented that it was an appalling error of not recognizing and thank a veteran Hunka. He demanded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to apologize and refrain from blaming others as he always does.

According to a statement from the prime minister’s office, which functions independently of the prime minister, it was not informed in advance of the award or invitation from the speaker’s office.

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