NETANYAHU APOLOGIZES FOR RHETORIC ABOUT ARABS
Israeli prime minister regrets election day warning about turnout
“I know the things I said a few days ago hurt some of Israel’s citizens and hurt Israel’s Arabs. ... I apologize for it.” Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized Monday for his election day comments warning about a strong Arab voter turnout.
“I know the things I said a few days ago hurt some of Israel’s citizens and hurt Israel’s Arabs. I had no intention to do that. I apologize for it,” Netanyahu said, according to Ynet News.
Netanyahu, whose Likud Party won last Tuesday’s parliamentary election, made the apology while meeting with members of Israel’s Arab minority at his residence.
He said he regretted singling them out last week or sending a message they were not valued.
“I see myself as the prime minister of every one of you, of all Israeli citizens, without any difference of religion, race or gender. I see all Israeli citizens as partners in the building of a thriving and secure Israel for all Israeli citizens,” Netanyahu said.
On election day, Netanyahu — who had been trailing in pre- election polls — warned that Arab citizens were voting “in droves.” His comment to spur his supporters drew accusations of racism from many in Israel, including the country’s Arab minority, plus a White House rebuke.
Ayman Odeh, head of the Joint List coalition of four Arab parties that won enough seats in Tuesday’s vote to be the third- largest party in parliament, rejected Netanyahu’s apology as “zigzagging” from one day to another.
“He incited against citizens who were exercising their basic right to vote for Knesset,” or parliament, Odeh said Monday.
The day before the election, Netanyahu also said he no longer supported creating a Palestinian state, but he backtracked on that comment Thursday — two days after the vote. Israel’s ceremonial president, Reuven Rivlin, on Sunday was among those who criticized what he had said.