"We welcome any statement from a significant individual such as a former president who asks for Al Het [forgiveness]. To what extent it is an epiphany, time will tell. There certainly is hurt which needs to be repaired."
(Israel)—Jimmy Carter has asked the Jewish community for forgiveness for any stigma he may have caused Israel over the years with, among other things, writings and statements that have likened Israel's settlement policies to apartheid.
In a letter released exclusively to the Jerusalem Post, Carter sent a Christmas message wishing for peace between Israel and its neighbors, and concluded: "We must recognize Israel's achievements under difficult circumstances, even as we strive in a positive way to help Israel continue to improve its relations with its Arab populations, but we must not permit criticisms for improvement to stigmatize Israel.
As I would have noted at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but which is appropriate at any time of the year, I offer an Al Het for any words or deeds of mine that may have done so."
"Al Het" according to the report, refers to the Yom Kippur prayer asking God forgiveness for sins committed against Him.
Abraham Foxman, the Anti-Defamation League's national director, was quoted as welcoming Carter's apology, calling it the "beginning of reconciliation."
"We welcome any statement from a significant individual such as a former president who asks for Al Het," Foxman said. "To what extent it is an epiphany, time will tell. There certainly is hurt which needs to be repaired."

Source: www.breakingchristiannews.com