INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Authors: JordanMahmud Abbas' comments sparked global anger, with the US, UN, EU and others criticising them (Reuters)Ramallah, Palestinian
Territories: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas apologised Friday for alleged anti-Semitic comments that drew
global condemnation."If people were offended by my statement at the Palestinian National Council, especially people of the Jewish faith, I
apologise to them," he said in a statement, days after appearing to suggest Jewish behaviour, including money lending, led to their
persecution in Europe.The English-language statement added that he opposed "anti-Semitism in all its forms" and wanted "to reiterate our
long held condemnation of the Holocaust, as the most heinous crime in history".Monday's comments sparked global anger, with the United
States, United Nations, European Union and others criticising them, as well as Israeli leaders.In a rambling speech to hundreds of
Palestinian officials, the 82-year-old said for centuries Jews in Europe were "subjected to a massacre every 10 to 15 years
But why did this happen They say 'it is because we are Jews'."He then cited "three books" written by Jews as evidence that "hostility
against Jews is not because of their religion, but rather their social function," adding he meant "their social function related to banks
and interest".(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
