Majority winner Netanyahu apologises to Arab Israelis
JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who won majority support Monday from newly elected MPs to form Israel’s next government, apologised for saying Arabs were voting in ‘droves’ in comments that drew US condemnation.
The leader of the rightwing Likud party is expected to be tasked this week with forming a new coalition government.
“I know that my statements last week offended some Israeli citizens and members of the Arab Israeli community. That was never my intention.
I apologise for that,” he said during a meeting with Arab Israelis broadcast on television.
Netanyahu made a last-minute call to his supporters to vote last Tuesday in an attempt to counter a high turnout among Arabs.
“The rule of the rightwing is in danger. Arab voters are going to the polls in droves!” he said in a video on Facebook.
“Go to the polling stations! Vote Likud!”
Ayman Odeh, deputy leader of the Joint List which groups Israel’s main Arab parties and won 13 seats, rejected the apology.
“His excuses are not acceptable because not only does Benjamin Netanyahu plan to bring in racist legislation but his words challenged the very right of Arab Israelis to vote for the Knesset,” Israel’s parliament, he said on television. — AFP