Anthony Rota, the Speaker of Canada’s House of Commons, issued an apology for praising an individual who served in a Nazi unit during World War Two.
“Ukrainian Hero”
On Friday, Rota hailed 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka as a “Ukrainian hero” before the Canadian Parliament.
The recognition came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Ottawa, during which he thanked Justin Trudeau’s government for its assistance in his country’s war against Russia.
Following Zelensky’s remarks, Rota acknowledged Hunka, who was seated in the gallery, for fighting for Ukrainian independence against the Russians. Hunka also received two standing ovations from those gathered.
Protest by Jewish Group
However, following the incident, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights group, alleged that Hunka had served in World War II as a member of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS.
“The fact that a veteran who served in a Nazi military unit was invited to, and given a standing ovation in, Parliament is shocking,” it said in a statement.
Massive embarrassment for Canada.
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 24, 2023
Canadian Parliament speaker Anthony Rota, apologises after he invited Nazi War Criminal who participated in Jewish Holocaust. Justin Trudeau and Zelenskyy applauded the Nazi.
“I particularly want to extend my deepest apologies to Jewish… pic.twitter.com/aOSG1TOD0m
“At a time of rising antisemitism and Holocaust distortion, it is incredibly disturbing to see Canada’s Parliament rise to applaud an individual who was a member of a unit in the Waffen-SS, a Nazi military branch responsible for the murder of Jews and others,” the group said on Sunday.
“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 group added.
Apology
In a statement published on Sunday, Rota took responsibility for what he said was an oversight, calling the initiative “entirely my own.”
“I have subsequently become aware of more information, which causes me to regret my decision,” he said. “I particularly want to extend my deepest apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world,” he added.
Canada’s Recent Tensions
The latest incident comes amid Canada’s deepening feud with India over the Indian government’s alleged involvement in the murder of a Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.