Headlines
Netanyahu apologises to Arab Israelis over remarks
Jerusalem, March 24
Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday apologised to the Arab Israelis in a bid to
walk back his controversial comment made at the height of last week's
parliament election.
In a statement, Netanyahu made the apology
to members of the Arab community in an apparent attempt to heal rifts
and quell criticism from home and abroad, Xinhua reported.
Just a
few hours before polling stations were to close across Israel, he said
the Arab Israelis are being bussed "in droves" by left-wing
organisations in order to topple his government.
His election day
statement garnered harsh criticism from within Israel and abroad, from
centre-left politicians, from the Israeli president, as well as the
White House.
"I know that what I said a few days ago offended
some of Israel' s citizens, offended Israeli Arabs. I had no intention
in doing so, I am sorry for this," Netanyahu said in the statement.
"My
actions as prime minister, including major investments in the
minorities sector, prove the complete opposite. I also think no element
outside the state of Israel should interfere in our democratic process,"
Netanyahu added, referring to his claims that European government and
foreign bodies funded left-wing organizations in order to topple his
regime. He did not offer prove for these claims.
"I view myself
as prime minister of each and every one of you, all Israeli citizens,
regardless of religion, race and gender," Netanyahu said.
However, Arab politicians were not impressed by Netanyahu's apology.
Leader of the Joint List, Aymen Odeh, wrote on his Facebook page that Netanyahu's apology is "deceitful."
"As
long as Netanyahu promotes racist legislation and does not promote real
equality, his apology is not accepted or credible in any way," Odeh
said.
Members of the Arab Joint List also turned to Attorney
General Yehuda Weinstein last week, following the controversial remark,
in order to try Netanyahu for his comments.
According to the
final election results, the Zionist Union list got 24 seats, and will
serve in the opposition in the next parliament.
Netanyahu is
tasked with forming the next Israeli government, after 67 members of
parliament recommended him to the president as the candidate with the
best options of establishing a government.