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London - Jews Dismiss F1 Boss's Apology for Praising Hitler |
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London - Jewish groups today rejected as inadequate an apology by Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone for remarks in which he praised German Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
During an interview with The Times newspaper last week the billionaire spoke of the Nazi dictator's ability to "get things done."
But after a storm of criticism, Ecclestone issued a statement on Tuesday in which he said: "I unreservedly apologize for the remarks I made regarding Hitler in a recent interview. I am extremely distressed and embarrassed that these remarks have been used as suggesting that I support Hitler or Saddam Hussein. I would never support such people.
"I should never have been so foolish as to have been drawn into discussing these people but the fault was entirely mine, which I deeply regret."
Today Jon Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, rejected the apology. "Mr. Ecclestone's comments were crass, ignorant and insensitive," he said in a statement issued to CNN.
"There is no excuse for praising one of history's most evil men for being good at being bad."
Germany's Central Council of Jews had urged motor racing teams to boycott Formula One over Ecclestone's comments but cautiously welcomed the apology.
However one of the group's leaders pointed out that the F1 chief's remarks about the man who presided over the deaths of six million Jews had caused great pain.
"If Ecclestone says he was an idiot, I will certainly not contradict him," Dieter Graumann, vice president of the council, told Handesblatt newspaper.
"Apologizing is better than not apologizing. But the glorification of a mass murderer is not a trivial offense."
German media also reported that Guenther Oettinger, premier of the southern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, had canceled a meeting with the Briton at this weekend's German Grand Prix at Nurburgring because of his comments about Hitler.
The F1 chief had told the German newspaper Bild: "Many people in my closest circle of friends are Jewish. Anyone who knows me knows that I would never attack a minority."
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Read Comments (7) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 09, 2009 at 03:48 AM Anonymous Says:
The F1 chief had told the German newspaper Bild: "Many people in my closest circle of friends are Jewish. Anyone who knows me knows that I would never attack a minority.
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WERE jewish mate, not any longer i fear.(is there something with the name Bernie??!!)
2
Jul 09, 2009 at 06:54 AM Anonymous Says:
I think the apology is OK. Better than many I've seen. Here in the US you have Malcolm Hoenline & others accepting the weakest of apologies from "high-ups" ie politicians etc. Can someone give an example? There was one quite recently & what was said was more direct than this original comment, but I forget who said what.
The Board of Deputies for once came out with both guns blazing. Interesting...this Bernie must have ticked off Jews before.
3
Jul 09, 2009 at 07:31 AM Anonymous Says:
"Jews do not accept".. who are "jews"? I'm a jew and I do accept his apology, a human being is eligible for a mistake, and as long as he admits and apologises it's ok.
4
Jul 09, 2009 at 08:05 AM Bert & Ernie Says:
It is time for Bernie to drop dead like the other one (the swindler).
5
Jul 09, 2009 at 07:59 AM Z. N. Mishegoss Says:
Put a mensch like Jackie Stewart in to run the sport instead of a boor like Ecclestone.
6
Jul 09, 2009 at 03:08 PM Rostik A Says:
First he wasn't praising Hitler. Saying someone is a good leader isn't praising. Second, there is nothing to apologize for. Third, he did apologize (wasn't necessary) and if you cannot accept it - it's your problem.
7
Jul 09, 2009 at 10:42 PM Anonymous Says:
I remember reading, on ViN, a few months back about "Mein Kampf" having record sales in India as reading for management students or something along those lines. Honestly, Ecclestone's comments are along the same lines. Could he have phrased his comments better initially? Yes. But sometimes it's best to just keep one's mouth shut and NOT offend people.