Netanyahu Apologizes for Comments About Arab-Israeli Voters--Update

By Nicholas Casey 

TEL AVIV--Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized Monday for election day comments in which he warned that droves of Arab-Israelis were seeking to oust him.

In a video posted on his Facebook page, Mr. Netanyahu said that his comments had insulted many of Israel's Arab citizens.

"I had no intention for that to be the case. I am sorry for that," he said.

On March 17, Mr. Netanyahu recorded a message urging his supporters to vote for him saying Arab voters, financed by foreign money, were seeking to topple him.

The comments were called racist by United List, the party representing Arabs in the last election. A spokesman for United List said he didn't accept the apology.

The White House also had criticized what it called Mr. Netanyahu's derisive comments.

"It certainly seems to be appropriate for him to make that acknowledgment," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Monday, referring to the apology.

Write to Nicholas Casey at [e-mail]

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