Palestinian President Abbas apologizes for offensive statements about Jews

RAMALLAH, (Patria) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas apologized on Friday after criticism for antisemitism in a speech in which he suggested that the historical persecution of European Jews was caused by their behavior, not religion, Al Jazeera reports.

Abbas condemned antisemitism and called the Holocaust "the most heinous crime in history" in a statement released by his office in Ramallah after a four-day meeting of the Palestinian National Council (PNC), Reuters reports. 

- If people were offended by my statement on behalf of the PNC, especially Jewish believers, I apologize to them. I assure everyone that this was not my intention and I reiterate my full respect for Judaism, as well as other monotheistic religions - Abbas stated.

Abbas was re-elected president of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on Thursday night.

Abbas's expected re-election followed the end of a four-day meeting of the PNC, the body that elects the president and members of the Executive Committee, the highest governing body of the PLO.