By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The GenerationThe GenerationThe Generation
  • USA
    USA
    Show More
    Top News
    UN Chief Urges Continued US Foreign Aid Amid Trump’s Pause Announcement
    February 2, 2025
    A 4-Year-Old’s Mom ate his Ice Cream. He Called the Cops
    March 14, 2025
    US Judge Blocks Deportation of Venezuelans in Colorado Under Wartime Law
    April 19, 2025
    Latest News
    Fed Governor to File Lawsuit Against Trump’s Attempt to Remove Her
    August 29, 2025
    Trump Expands 50% Steel and Aluminum Tariffs to Include 407 Additional Product Types
    August 20, 2025
    COVID-19 Vaccines Urged for Infants and Toddlers by AAP, Clashing with RFK Jr.
    August 23, 2025
    Trump Seeks Ukraine Deal with Putin
    August 23, 2025
  • New York
    New York
    Show More
    Top News
    Bangladeshi Actor achieve international in US
    October 26, 2023
    NY District Cancels Classes After Multiple Fights Break out at Same Time at High School
    November 24, 2023
    Winter Weather Arrives As NYC Migrant Crisis Worsens
    December 20, 2023
    Latest News
    Bronx Gun Violence Continues — One Dead, Two Injured in Apartment Shooting
    August 27, 2025
    Governor Hochul Tells Trump: No Need for National Guard in NYC”
    August 27, 2025
    32-year-old pedestrian killed in hit-and-run in the Bronx
    August 29, 2025
    Calls Grow for Full McGuinness Blvd Redesign Amid Bribery Scandal
    August 29, 2025
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Joe Biden Plans To Ban Logging In US Old-growth Forests In 2025
    December 26, 2023
    Donald Trump Ranked As Worst US President In History, With Joe Biden 14th
    February 29, 2024
    Lawmakers Say They Should Analyze Protests Response
    May 31, 2024
    Latest News
    Trump Administration Sues New York Over Sanctuary City Policies
    August 29, 2025
    Cuomo Campaign Denies Bombshell Report About Trump’s Influence in the NYC Mayoral Race
    August 23, 2025
    California Republicans Sue to Hold up Democratic Redistricting Plan
    August 23, 2025
    New York City Public Schools Tout Highest Test Scores in More Than A Decade
    August 15, 2025
  • World
    World
    Show More
    Top News
    Arab League slams Israel siege of Gaza, demands aid for Gazans
    October 12, 2023
    Bangladesh hands over humanitarian aid to Palestine
    October 31, 2023
    Hezbollah’s anti-ship missiles bolster its threat to US navy
    November 9, 2023
    Latest News
    UN Says Israeli Probes into Gaza Killings Must ‘Yield Results’
    August 30, 2025
    India To Probe Giant Zoo Run by Mukesh Ambani’s Son
    August 30, 2025
    Iran Vows Reciprocal Action After Australia Expels Envoy
    August 30, 2025
    Japanese Climber, 102, Sets Mount Fuji Record
    August 29, 2025
  • Finance & Business
    Finance & Business
    Show More
    Top News
    How Banks And The Fed Are Preparing For A US Default – And Chaos To Follow
    September 3, 2023
    Corporate Greed is not to Blame for High Inflation, SF Fed Says
    June 16, 2024
    Latest News
    Corporate Greed is not to Blame for High Inflation, SF Fed Says
    June 16, 2024
    How Banks And The Fed Are Preparing For A US Default – And Chaos To Follow
    September 3, 2023
  • EpaperNew
Search
  • About Us
  • Our Awards
  • My Bookmarks
  • Opinion
  • Crime
  • Science & Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Economy
  • Fashion
  • Election
  • Feature
  • Charity
  • Literature
  • Security
  • US & Canada
  • Nature
  • Cooking
Copyright @2023 – All Right Reserved by The Generation.
Reading: Canada’s House speaker apologises for praising Ukrainian Nazi veteran
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
The GenerationThe Generation
  • USA
  • New York
  • Politics
  • World
  • EpaperNew
Search
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Election
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • US & Canada
  • Finance & Business
  • Charity
  • Cooking
  • Fashion
  • Feature
  • Literature
  • Nature
  • Science & Technology
  • Security
  • Sports
Follow US
  • About Us
  • My Bookmarks
Copyright @2023 – All Right Reserved by The Generation.
World

Canada’s House speaker apologises for praising Ukrainian Nazi veteran

Published September 26, 2023
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

It seemed like a touching and timely tribute by Canadian lawmakers to a 98-year-old war “hero” who fought for Ukraine’s independence during World War II. But it soon emerged that the man was in fact part of a notorious Nazi unit, leading to fury at the standing ovation he was given in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Yaroslav Hunka wiped away tears on receiving the rousing recognition from the Canadian House of Commons on Friday. He was singled out by speaker Anthony Rota, who called him a “hero” following a speech by the visiting Ukrainian leader, who in turn raised a fist during the applause.

But Rota apologized Sunday after he said he “subsequently became aware of more information” about Hunka’s past.

The Ukrainian nonagenarian did fight the Soviet Union, but as part of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, “a Nazi military unit whose crimes against humanity during the Holocaust are well-documented,” according to the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Canadian human rights group promoting awareness about the Holocaust and fighting antisemitism.

The Center said in a statement Sunday it was “deeply disturbed” by Hunka’s recognition in Parliament and “further outraged” that he received a standing ovation.

“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. Hunka’s unit, also known as the First Ukrainian Division, was “responsible for the mass murder of innocent civilians with a level of brutality and malice that is unimaginable.”

Another Canada-based advocacy group, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said it was “deeply troubled and disturbed.” Michael Mostyn, CEO of Jewish human rights organization B’nai Brith Canada, called the invitation and ovation “beyond outrageous.”

Rota, the Commons speaker, said that he alone was responsible for inviting Hunka, who lives in the area he represents, implying that neither Zelenskyy nor Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau knew about it.

“I particularly want to extend my apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world,” the speaker said in a statement. “I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, has said members of his family were killed during the Holocaust. NBC News has contacted his office for comment.

Trudeau’s office said in a statement that Rota had apologized and accepted full responsibility.

“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.”

Members of Parliament from all parties, not just Trudeau’s Liberal Party, rose to applaud Hunka. A spokesperson for the Conservative party said the party was not aware of his history at the time, The Associated Press reported.

Hunka could not be immediately reached for comment, the AP said.

You Might Also Like

UN Says Israeli Probes into Gaza Killings Must ‘Yield Results’

India To Probe Giant Zoo Run by Mukesh Ambani’s Son

Iran Vows Reciprocal Action After Australia Expels Envoy

Japanese Climber, 102, Sets Mount Fuji Record

Families Leave Gaza City After Night of Bombardment, Israelis Protest

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp Copy Link Print
Previous Article Sheikh Hasina – The Iron Lady of Bangladesh
Next Article FDNY lives lost from 9/11-related illnesses now matches death toll from the day

Stay Connected

1.2kFollowersLike
13kFollowersFollow
1.2kFollowersFollow
1.4kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Bronx Gun Violence Continues — One Dead, Two Injured in Apartment Shooting
New York August 27, 2025
Governor Hochul Tells Trump: No Need for National Guard in NYC”
New York August 27, 2025
Fed Governor to File Lawsuit Against Trump’s Attempt to Remove Her
USA August 26, 2025
32-year-old pedestrian killed in hit-and-run in the Bronx
New York August 26, 2025
Trump Administration Sues New York Over Sanctuary City Policies
Politics August 26, 2025

Quick links

  • About Us
  • Our Awards
  • My Bookmarks

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Editor
Sadia J. Choudhury
Executive Editor
Shah J. Choudhury, Mubin Khan & Salman J. Choudhury
Member of Editor’s Board
Husneara Choudhury, Fauzia J. Choudhury, Santa Islam & DevRaj A. Nath.

A Ruposhi Bangla Entertainment Network

By

Office Address
New York Office:
70-52 Broadway 1A, Jackson Heights, NY-11372, United States.
Contact
Tel: +1 (718) 496-5000
Email: info@thegenerationus.com
newsthegeneration@gmail.com
The GenerationThe Generation
Follow US
Copyright @2023 – All Right Reserved by The Generation.