In his original remarks on Friday, the president said that he has been “portrayed or pictured to be a cousin of Hitler” by his critics. Then he added, “Hitler massacred 3 million Jews … there’s 3 million drug addicts. I’d be happy to slaughter them.”
His remarks drew shock and outrage across the world.
Duterte apologized to the Jewish world in a speech Sunday but he visited the synagogue on Rosh Hashana to further express his regret.
“I would like to apologize and it comes from the heart,” Duterte told members of the Jewish Association of the Philippines. “I mentioned the word Jewish and that was what was terribly wrong and for that I apologize. But I’m not one of the racist members of this republic.”
He said he had never intended to derogate the memory of the 6 million Jews murdered under Hitler before and during World War II. He said he was instead trying to convey his sincere desire to rid his country of corruption and crime, especially illegal drugs. He sought understanding for his tough image.
“You know it’s my character,” he said. “G-d created me to be this way.”
[It is ironic that he said these words during the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur when Jews are exhorted and challenged to change their character for the better.]