by Nasra Ismail and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Jerusalem
9 minutes ago
In a Facebook message directed at supporters on election day, he warned that "right-wing rule is in danger" as left-wing organisations were bringing Arabs to vote "in buses".
The PM feared his voters would stay at home, but won against expectations.
Mr Netanyahu now says he hopes to form a new governing coalition within two or three weeks.
Apologising for his comments he said: "I know the things I said a few days ago hurt some Israeli citizens.
"My actions as prime minister, including massive investment in minority sectors, prove the exact opposite.
"I think, similarly, that no element outside the state of Israel should intervene in our democratic processes."
Mr Netanyahu's comments on election day drew criticism from the White House, which said it was "deeply concerned" by "divisive rhetoric" that sought to marginalize Israeli Arabs.
Ahead of the vote, he also said he would not allow the creation of a Palestinian state if re-elected.
His centre-left opposition, the Zionist Union, had promised to repair ties with the Palestinians and the international community.
Mr Netanyahu has since watered down this position in an interview with MSNBC.
But White House adviser Denis McDonough told Reuters earlier: "We cannot pretend that these comments were never made."
9 minutes ago
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu has said he "regrets" warning "the Arabs are voting in droves"
during last week's elections.
He said he had not meant to offend Israeli-Arab voters. In a Facebook message directed at supporters on election day, he warned that "right-wing rule is in danger" as left-wing organisations were bringing Arabs to vote "in buses".
The PM feared his voters would stay at home, but won against expectations.
Mr Netanyahu now says he hopes to form a new governing coalition within two or three weeks.
Apologising for his comments he said: "I know the things I said a few days ago hurt some Israeli citizens.
"My actions as prime minister, including massive investment in minority sectors, prove the exact opposite.
"I think, similarly, that no element outside the state of Israel should intervene in our democratic processes."
Mr Netanyahu's comments on election day drew criticism from the White House, which said it was "deeply concerned" by "divisive rhetoric" that sought to marginalize Israeli Arabs.
Ahead of the vote, he also said he would not allow the creation of a Palestinian state if re-elected.
His centre-left opposition, the Zionist Union, had promised to repair ties with the Palestinians and the international community.
Mr Netanyahu has since watered down this position in an interview with MSNBC.
But White House adviser Denis McDonough told Reuters earlier: "We cannot pretend that these comments were never made."
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