Newly re-elected President of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu apologised for comments he made shortly before the Israeli election last week in which he claimed Arabs were coming out to vote en masse against him and calling on his supporters to go to the poll on Monday.
Mr Netanyahu also made a statement the day before the election last week rejecting a two-state election, increasing tensions between the United States and Israel.
While Mr Netanyahu has since seemingly backtracked on these statements, US President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff made a statement saying, “[w]e cannot simply pretend that those comments were never made” and “[a]n occupation that has lasted for almost 50 years must end.”
In a Facebook video posted midway through last Tuesday’s polling day he stated, “[t]he right-wing government is in danger. Arab voters are going en masse to the polls. Left-wing NGOs are bringing them on buses.”
In Mr Netanyahu's apology today, made to a small group of Arab Israelis, he said, “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.”
Mr Netanyahu also made a statement the day before the election last week rejecting a two-state election, increasing tensions between the United States and Israel.
While Mr Netanyahu has since seemingly backtracked on these statements, US President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff made a statement saying, “[w]e cannot simply pretend that those comments were never made” and “[a]n occupation that has lasted for almost 50 years must end.”
In a Facebook video posted midway through last Tuesday’s polling day he stated, “[t]he right-wing government is in danger. Arab voters are going en masse to the polls. Left-wing NGOs are bringing them on buses.”
In Mr Netanyahu's apology today, made to a small group of Arab Israelis, he said, “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.”