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Hagee apologizes for Holocaust comments

By · June 15, 2008

Controversial pastor John Hagee expressed regret for suggesting the Holocaust was God’s way of moving Jews to Israel.

In a letter to the head of the Anti-Defamation League, Hagree promised to be sensitive and respectul in how he expresses his faith, and in particular to acknowledge human limitations in understanding God’s motives.

“I know how sensitive the issue of the Holocaust is and should be to the Jewish community, and I regret if my Jewish friends felt any pain as a result,” Hagee wrote. “I have always believed that the Holocaust was a tragedy unique in its evil and horror.”

Hagee, one of the leading pro-Israel evangelical leaders in the United States, has come under fire repeatedly for comments percieved as offensive to various groups. Last month, John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, repudiated Hagee after his Holocaust comments emerged.

Foxman issued a statement Friday welcoming Hagee’s letter and expressing gratitude for his support of Israel.

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