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| Racism is espoused by the Israel's top politician. Illustration by Ronald David Jackson. |
Israel's Netanyahu apologizes to country's Arab minority
Newly re-elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized after warning his supporters that Arab citizens were "voting in droves." Neither the White House nor Arab Israelis have embraced the apology.
By Ian Deitch, AP
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized 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. 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."
But President Barack Obama's chief of staff, Denis McDonough, rejected Netanyahu's attempt to distance himself from his comments, telling an Israel advocacy group Monday that the U.S. can't just overlook what Netanyahu said on the eve of his re-election.
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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. Arab citizens make up 20 percent of Israel's population. Equality is guaranteed in Israel's laws but many Arabs have long complained of discrimination, mainly in the job and housing market.
Ayman Odeh, the head of the Joint List, told channel 2 TV that Netanyahu's apology was not accepted.
"This is not a real apology," Odeh said. "He incited against citizens who were exercising their basic right to vote for Knesset."
Odeh also accused Netanyahu of "zigzagging" by saying one thing one day and a different another.
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