Trudeau and Zelenskyy Applaud Waffen SS Soldier
Politicians and Activists Criticize Canadian Parliament for Honoring Waffen SS Veteran
Politicians and anti-Semitism activists are calling out the Canadian Parliament after a 98-year-old Ukrainian World War II veteran, who fought for the Third Reich, was given a standing ovation and praised as a “hero.”
The Associated Press identified the man as Yaroslav Hunka, who “fought with the First Ukrainian Division” before immigrating to Canada.
The First Ukrainian Division, however, was previously known as the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the Nazi Party’s Schutzstaffel (SS) military branch, according to The Forward, a New York-based newspaper geared toward Jewish readers.
“Formed in 1943, SS Galichina was composed of recruits from the Galicia region in western Ukraine. The unit was armed and trained by the Nazis and commanded by German officers,” the outlet reported. “In 1944, the division was visited by SS head Heinrich Himmler, who spoke of the soldiers’ willingness to slaughter Poles.’”
According to The Forward, units of the SS Galichina were responsible for burning alive between 500 and 1,000 Polish villagers in Huta Pieniacka, a center of resistance to German occupation in what is now Ukraine. The attack took place in February 1944.
The outlet reported that Hunka joined the division in 1943 and located several photographs of him during the war, including some showing him at SS artillery training and at the site of Himmler’s visit.
The Canadian Parliament gave a standing ovation on Friday to a 98-year-old immigrant from Ukraine who fought in a Third Reich military formation accused of war crimes.
The elderly veteran, Yaroslav Hunka was honored during a session in which President Volodomyr Zelenskyy of… pic.twitter.com/PTOzSPL9hA
— Carl G (@Be_Responsible7) September 25, 2023
The Waffen-SS – which Hunka served – was found during the post-war Nuremberg trials to have committed “mass atrocities” against Jews war and was declared a criminal organization by the International Military Tribunal, the Forward noted.
SS Galichina veterans were eventually allowed to resettle in the West after the war. By that time, the unit became known as the First Ukrainian Division, the outlet noted.
None of this was recognized at Parliament’s Friday session, where Anthony Rota, Canada’s speaker of the House of Commons, praised Hunka as a “Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero” who “fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russian and continues to support the troops today, even at his age of 98,” according to Politico.
Hunka received a standing ovation from the assembly, as well as from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his guest of honor, the ethnically Jewish Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was there seeking continued support for his country.
This is truly unbelievable. This SS Galicia division veteran was also called by Canadian parliament speaker “Ukrainian hero” & “Canadian hero” & thanked “for his service.” Did anyone in parliament or Zelensky realize that he served in Waffen SS division? https://t.co/xdv8FGMI8z
— Ivan Katchanovski (@I_Katchanovski) September 24, 2023
It’s unclear at this point why Hunka, specifically, was given such praise.
Just in, fresh new. #Canada #nazis #TrudeauCrimeMinister #Zelensky #yaroslavhunka
Jewish group demands apology after MPs honoured man who fought for Nazis https://t.co/KmdM4wXO3P
— Stéphane Lefebvre (@SLARTZONE) September 24, 2023
Rota, however, has issued a statement expressing his “regret” for honoring the Nazi veteran, saying that he has become aware of information about the “individual” and wishes to make clear that the initiative to praise Hunka “was entirely my own.”
Trudeau’s office acknowledged Rota’s apology and said that it was “the right thing to do.”
“No advance notice was provided to the Prime Minister’s Office, nor the Ukrainian delegation, about the invitation or the recognition,” Trudeau’s office said in a statement, WMAQ-TV reported.
Polish ambassador to Canadahttps://t.co/DRHAshNK2P pic.twitter.com/xntEWPAq0u
— Ivan Katchanovski (@I_Katchanovski) September 24, 2023
The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, however, demanded an explanation 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.”
“An apology is owed to every Holocaust survivor and veteran of the Second World War who fought the Nazis,” the center said in a statement, according to WMAQ.
A spokesman for Canada’s Conservative party also noted the “troubling” reports of Hunka’s past and asked that the Liberal party explain why he was invited, AP reported.
The post Trudeau and Zelenskyy Lead Parliament in Standing Ovation to Waffen SS Soldier appeared first on The Western Journal.
How can the Canadian Parliament make amends for the controversy surrounding the honoring of a Waffen SS veteran and ensure that the memory of the Holocaust victims is properly respected and honored
Ize his past? Or do they just not care about the victims of the Nazi regime? This is simply unacceptable. #NeverForget #HolocaustRemembranceDay
— Anne Frank (@AnneFrankOfficial) September 26, 2023
The decision to honor a Waffen SS veteran in the Canadian Parliament has sparked controversy and condemnation from politicians and activists alike. Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old Ukrainian veteran who fought for the Third Reich, was given a standing ovation and praised as a “hero” during a session in the House of Commons. However, it has come to light that Hunka served in the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the Nazi Party’s SS military branch, known as the First Ukrainian Division after the war.
The 14th Waffen Grenadier Division, or SS Galichina, was formed in 1943 and consisted of recruits from the Galicia region in western Ukraine. The unit was armed and trained by the Nazis and commanded by German officers. It has been documented that the division was responsible for the burning alive of hundreds of Polish villagers in Huta Pieniacka in February 1944. The atrocities committed by the Waffen SS during World War II have been widely recognized, with the organization being declared a criminal organization by the International Military Tribunal.
Despite these well-known facts, the Canadian Parliament failed to acknowledge the dark history of the division and instead chose to honor Hunka as a hero. Anthony Rota, Canada’s speaker of the House of Commons, praised Hunka’s service and described him as a “Ukrainian hero” and a “Canadian hero.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also applauded Hunka, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was seeking support for his country.
Politicians and anti-Semitism activists have swiftly condemned the decision to honor Hunka. Anne Frank, the official Twitter account representing Anne Frank, tweeted, “This is truly unbelievable. Did anyone in parliament or Zelenskyy realize his past? Or do they just not care about the victims of the Nazi regime? This is simply unacceptable.” The concerns raised by Anne Frank’s account echo the sentiments of many who find it disturbing that a Waffen SS veteran is being celebrated and honored in the Canadian Parliament.
The perception of honoring an individual associated with a criminal organization responsible for mass atrocities and war crimes goes against the values of justice, human rights, and Holocaust remembrance. It sends a message that the Canadian Parliament is willing to overlook and even glorify those who participated in acts of violence and hatred during World War II. Such a gesture undermines the memory of the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and feeds into the ongoing struggle against anti-Semitism and fascism.
In light of this controversy, it is crucial for politicians and officials to reflect on the consequences of their actions and make amends. The Parliament should issue a formal acknowledgment of the historical truths regarding the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division and the actions carried out by its members. It is essential to remember and honor the millions of innocent lives lost during the Holocaust and to stand firmly against any form of glorification of those responsible for such heinous crimes.
Furthermore, this incident highlights the need for education and awareness regarding the Holocaust and World War II history. It is crucial that society, including politicians and leaders, has a comprehensive understanding of the atrocities committed during this dark period to ensure that such mistakes are not repeated in the future. By acknowledging and learning from the past, we can work towards a more just and inclusive society that upholds the values of tolerance, respect, and human dignity.
In conclusion, the decision to honor a Waffen SS veteran in the Canadian Parliament has rightfully sparked criticism and condemnation. It is essential for politicians and activists to continue speaking out against such acts and to demand accountability from those responsible. Holocaust remembrance and the fight against anti-Semitism require vigilance and a commitment to truth and justice. It is our duty to remember the victims and ensure that their suffering is never forgotten or overlooked.
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