Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly gone on record to say that he "regrets" remarking that "the Arabs are voting in droves" during last week's elections.
He apologised for his comments that, he said, hurt some Israeli citizens, reported the BBC.
Netanyahu added that his actions, as prime minister, including massive investment in minority sectors, proved the exact opposite. He said that he did not mean to offend Israeli Arab voters.
On Israel's election day, Netanyahu posted a warning directed at supporters saying that the "right-wing rule is in danger" as left-wing organisations were bringing Arabs to vote "in buses."
Netanyahu had expected that his voters would stay at home, but won the election against expectations.
The Joint List alliance of Arab-dominated parties rejected the apology.