He hë ano, te hë me whakatika te hë: Hone Harawira

Tuesday 1 August 2006
There has been considerable response to comments I made in the House last week regarding Israel’s over-the-top reaction to the attacks from Hizbollah.

My comments were made during general statements condemning Israel’s attacks on Lebanon which had killed four United Nations peacekeepers. I spoke in Maori, and in doing so I forgot the proper translation for Israel “Iharaira” and used the term “Hurae”, or Jews, when condemning the Israeli attacks.

I accept that I used the improper term, and I apologise sincerely to all those people who have been hurt by my comments. It was not my intention to attack Jews, and I regret using the term.

I also accept that unnecessary deaths have occurred on both sides in this long-running conflict and that my speech should have also reflected that reality as well.

Hone Harawira, Member for Te Tai Tokerau

ENDS

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