Prime Minister Netanyahu issued an apology on Monday, March 23rd, for comments he made in a Facebook video posted on Election Day warning his base that “The right-wing government is in danger. Arab voters are moving to the ballots in droves. Left wing organizations are busing them in.” The statement triggered a wave of criticism and controversy about whether Netanyahu’s statements were reflected anti-Arab attitudes, or if they were more about left and right wing politics, as Arab citizens are expected to vote for left-wing parties by a large margin.
Netanyahu initially tried to soften impact by explaining on American television that his comments were not intended to suppress a vote: “I said they would try to get out votes for a specific party — an amalgamation of Islamists and other anti-Israel groups. And I said when that happens, make sure we get out our vote.”
Before Monday’s apology, the Joint List filed an incitement complaint with the Attorney General; Arab journalist Odeh Basharat initiated a petition to President Rivlin signed by over 2,000 people asking to disqualify Netanyahu from the next government, and President Rivlin criticized these comments as “hurtful”.
A number of North American Jewish organizations also issued statements in response. The Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for making divisive comments, saying that Netanyahu “indefensibly singled out the Arab citizens of Israel”, which is “unacceptable and undermines the principles upon which the State of Israel was founded”.
Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, criticized the RA’s statement, calling it an “intemperate, inappropriate overreaction” to nothing more than “election overzealousness.” “The prime minister did not express himself in any way that suggested Israeli Arabs shouldn’t vote or should be prevented from voting and exercising their political rights,” Foxman told The Jewish Week. “He was only expressing alarm that there were efforts to organize them [Israeli Arabs] to unseat him — and that is his political right. I would have used different language maybe, but it wasn’t racist and it didn’t violate their right to vote.”
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism criticized PM’s comments saying that “Netanyahu chose to use demographics as a wedge that threatens voter engagement. No public figure should lament fellow citizens exercising their right to vote […].” The Israel Policy Forum called Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statements “troubling” and “objectionable.” The JCPA expressed hope that “the next government can make sure that all Israelis, Arab and Jew alike, feel a sense of security and belonging.”
In Israel, several religious and civil society organizations issued strong criticizism of the PM’s statements. The Israel Religious Action Center stated that they are “disappointed” and “disturbed” that the Prime Minister chose to galvanize his supporters on Election Day by creating fear over the participation of Israeli Arabs in the elections, rather than celebrating the participation of all citizens in the democratic vote.”
Mahapach-Taghir campaigns included “racism, fear-mongering and exclusionary tactics against Arab citizens of Israel.” ACRI believes that it is our “democratic duty to protect the human rights and dignity of all people”.
In a meeting with representatives of minority communities in Israel on March 23rd, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized for the remarks that he made on Election Day about Arab Israeli voters. “I know that the things I said a few days ago hurt some citizens in Israel, the Arab Israeli citizens,” Netanyahu said. “This was not my intention and I am sorry,” he said. “My actions as prime minister, including massive investment in minority sectors, prove the exact opposite,” he added. “I think, similarly, that no element outside the state of Israel should intervene in our democratic processes.” The prime minister added: “I see myself as the prime minister of each and every one of you, of all Israeli citizens without differentiating between religions, races and sex. I see in all Israeli citizens partners in building the State of Israel, one that is thriving and safe for all Israeli citizens.”
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s apology to the Israeli Arab community for comments he made to his supporters during the 20th Knesset elections. “We welcome the prime minister’s outreach and apology to the Israeli Arab community,” ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman stated. “While I do not believe the prime minister’s Election Day remarks were intended to be anti-Arab or racist, his words left questions in people’s minds about how the Arab community is viewed by Israel’s leadership and their place in Israeli society.” “It is important to remember that under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s watch there’s been a significant effort by the Israeli government to integrate Israeli Arabs into the broader society, particularly by investing billions of shekels in improving education and employment opportunities for Israeli Arabs,” he continued.
Several leaders of the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism (USCJ) issued a commendation of the apology as well. “The Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism welcome and applaud today’s apology by Prime Minister Netanyahu,” the groups said in a joint statement.
Do you need support integrating these resources and issues into your philanthropic, communal, or Israel education work? Reach out for consultations, connections to experts, program support, training, or to plan your next event or mission. If you’ve used our resources, tell us about your experience!
Do you need support integrating these resources and issues into your philanthropic, communal, or Israel education work? Reach out for consultations, connections to experts, program support, training, or to plan your next event or mission. If you’ve used our resources, tell us about your experience!