Government Official Apologizes for Role in Civil Discord
In a surprising turn of events, former public diplomacy minister Distel Atbaryan has issued a public apology for her role in the massive protests and civil discord that rocked the nation after Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government attempted to implement a judicial system overhaul.
“I’m here sitting and telling you, the democratic, secular public: I sinned against you, I caused pain for you, I caused you to fear for your lives here, and I am sorry for this,” Atbaryan said in an interview with Channel 13 TV.
Atbaryan, who was known for her staunch support of Netanyahu and her harsh criticism of his opponents, acknowledged that her actions played a part in weakening the state and causing harm to the citizens of the country.
“I was one of those people that caused the state to be weakened, that harmed people,” she said. “I created a split, I created a rift, and I created tension. And this tension brought weakness. And this weakness, in many ways, brought massacre.”
Following her resignation in the aftermath of the crisis, Atbaryan has continued to serve as a member of parliament in the Likud party. She expressed regret for wasting public funds during the tumultuous period, and for not recognizing the severity of the situation sooner.
The unprecedented apology comes as the country continues to grapple with the fallout of the protests and as business leaders, former security chiefs, and close allies, including the United States, express concern over the state of affairs in the nation.
Atbaryan’s public display of contrition has been met with a mixed response from the public, with some applauding her courage in admitting fault, while others remain skeptical of her sincerity. Only time will tell if her apology will help heal the deep divisions that were created during the crisis.