US State department questions Netanyahu’s ‘sincerity’ after apology

Netanyahu tries to make amends with the Arab sector for Election Day comments warning right-wing voters that Israeli Arabs were voting en masse.

JPOST

Whether Israeli Arabs choose to accept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apology for his pre-election comments, it appears the Obama administration has decided it will not.

US officials continued questioning the leadership and judgment of the newly reelected premier on Monday, after US President Barack Obama said over the weekend that he planned a reassessment of the relationship.

“When he says one thing one day and another thing another it’s impossible to tell if he’s sincere,” State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters on Monday. “We can’t read his mind.”

Netanyahu tried to make amends with the Arab sector in Israel Monday when he hosted leaders from the Israeli-Arab and other minority communities from across Israel at his official residence in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu on Election Day warned right-wing voters that Israeli Arabs were going to vote en masse in buses funded by foreign non-governmental organizations and donors.

“I know that my comments last week offended some Israeli citizens and offended members of the Israeli-Arab community,” he said.  “This was never my intent. I apologize for this.”

Netanyahu said his actions as prime minister, including the significant investment made within Israel’s minority communities, proved that he has nothing against Arabs.  He said his Election Day statement was merely intended to emphasize that no foreign entity should be interfering with Israel’s democratic process.

“I view myself as the Prime Minister of each and every citizen of Israel, without any prejudice based on religion, ethnicity or gender,” he said. “I view every citizen as my partner in building a more secure, more prosperous State of Israel and a nation that benefits the needs and interests of all our citizenry.”

Joint (Arab) List head Ayman Odeh called Netanyahu’s statement unacceptable and said a sincere apology should come in the form of passing laws intended to make state funding allocations in Israel more equal. He noted that after the meeting with the Arab leaders, Netanyahu met with Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett and spoke to him about advancing nationalist legislation.

“This is just another zigzag by a man known for his zigzags,” Odeh said. “He should return the mandates he received for his incitement. We are waiting for a real apology, which means real equality.”