Abbas apologizes for comments decried as anti-Semitic

RAMALLAH, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas apologized on Friday for his statements that were widely considered as anti-Semitic while addressing the Palestinian National Council (PNC) opening session.

He said in a press statement that "if people were offended by my statements in front of the PNC, especially people of the Jewish faith, I apologize to them."

He went on reiterating "the long-held condemnation of the holocaust, as the most heinous crime in history. Likewise, we condemn anti-Semitism in all its forms, and confirm our commitment to the two-state solution and to live side by side in peace and security."

Abbas suggested on Monday that the historical prosecution of the Jews in Europe was caused by their "social functions" in society, including money-lending.

His statements drew wide international condemnation and were decried by the European Union as anti-Semitic.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday said Abbas cannot be a "peace partner" in light of this rhetoric.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a tweet that Abbas "recited the most contemptible anti-Semitic canards. Apparently the Holocaust denier is still a Holocaust denier." Enditem