Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued an apology after a man who served in a Nazi unit during World War II was honored in Parliament. Trudeau stated that this ”terrible mistake” has harmed the memory of all those who suffered during the Holocaust.
“I would like to offer my most sincere apologies for what happened on Friday,” Trudeau said in French in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, speaking on behalf of all those present in the chamber. He further added, “Paying tribute to this individual, without knowing who he was, was a terrible mistake and a violation of the memory of those who cruelly suffered at the hands of the Nazi regime.”
Yaroslav Hunka, 98, received two standing ovations in the House last week during a special session attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in Ottawa to appeal for Canada’s continued support against Russia’s military offensive.
Jewish community groups later reported that Hunka served in the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS Nazi military unit during World War II, and they called for an explanation and an apology.
Link from www.aljazeera.com rnrn