Bibi Apologizes For Comment On Arab Voter Turnout During Election

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a Likud party meeting in Or Yehuda near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, March 16, 2015 a day ahead of legislative elections. Netanyahu is seeking his fourth term as p... Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a Likud party meeting in Or Yehuda near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, March 16, 2015 a day ahead of legislative elections. Netanyahu is seeking his fourth term as prime minister (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) MORE LESS
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JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologized to Israel’s Arab citizens for remarks he made during last week’s parliament election and which offended members of the community.

Netanyahu, whose Likud Party won re-election in the vote, met with members of the Arab community at the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem on Monday and apologized.

He says he knows his “comments last week offended some Israeli citizens and offended members of the Israeli-Arab community.”

Netanyahu says: “This was never my intent. I apologize for this.”

Netanyahu drew accusations of racism in Israel, especially from its Arab minority, and a White House rebuke when, just a few hours before polling stations were to close across the country, he warned that Arab citizens were voting “in droves.”

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Notable Replies

  1. We don’t believe a word!

  2. His intent was to fear-monger to drive up turnout.

    The fact that it was insulting to many was just gravy.

  3. Well, there you go. Thank heaven that’s over.

  4. Avatar for tomj tomj says:

    He just loves Israel too much, and he said it in the heat of passion.

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