Netanyahu apologises to Israel's Arab minority

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologised to Israel’s Arab citizens on Monday for remarks he made during last week’s parliament election that offended members of the community.

The move appeared to be an attempt to heal rifts and mute criticism at home and in the United States. Mr. 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.”

Mr. Netanyahu, who’s 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 apologised.

“This was never my intent. I apologise for this,” Mr. Netanyahu said. “I view myself as the prime minister of each and every citizen of Israel, without any prejudice based on religion, ethnicity or gender.”

“I view all Israeli citizens as partners in the building of a prosperous and safe state of Israel, for all Israelis,” he also said.

A recently established alliance of four small, mostly Arab parties called the Joint List made unprecedented gains in the March 17 election, earning enough votes to make it the third-largest party in Israel’s parliament. Ayman Odeh, the head of the Joint List, told channel

2 TV that Mr. Netanyahu’s apology was not accepted.

“This is not a real apology,” Mr. Odeh said. “He incited against citizens who were exercising their basic right to vote for Knesset.”

Mr. Odeh also accused Mr. Netanyahu of “zigzagging” by saying one thing one day and a different another.