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