Posted on 03/25/2015 11:10:49 AM PDT by Star Traveler
President meets with Likud leader after receiving official election results, but not before apparent criticism of Netanyahu's comments against Arab voters.
President Reuven Rivlin tasked incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with forming the next government on Wednesday night, after receiving the official election results from Central Election Committee chairman Judge Salim Joubran.
Still, in an apparent criticism of Netanyahu's comments on Election Day against Arab voters who are going to the polls "in droves," Rivlin said a high voter turnout was a blessing, not a curse.
The surprise victor of a March 17 election, Netanyahu looks well set to assemble a heavily right-leaning cabinet that will control 67 of parliament's 120 seats - a large majority in a country where no one party has ever been able to rule by itself.
Netanyahu will have up to six weeks to put together his new coalition.
(Excerpt) Read more at ynetnews.com ...
Netanyahu Apologizes for Remarks on Arabs, Says ‘I am Prime Minister of All Israelis’
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3271111/posts
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday night apologized for controversial comments he made on the eve of elections and if he caused offense to Israel’s Arab population.
“I know that the words that I said some days ago offended Israel’s Arabs. I did not intend at all that this would happen. I am very sorry about that,” he said when hosting representatives from Israel’s minority communities at the prime minister’s residence, including the leadership of Israel’s Arab communities.
Netanyahu emphasized to his audience: “I see myself as the prime minister of each and every one of you, of all of the citizens of Israel, without distinction over religion, race or gender. This is how it was, and how it will continue to be.” As the audience enthusiastically applauded his comments, Netanyahu continued, “I see all of Israel’s citizens as partners in building the State of Israel, which will be strong and united, for the benefit all of its citizens.”
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
..................
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.