Netanyahu says soldiers' graves ad was 'mistake'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds to the growing furor over his party’s use earlier this evening of soldiers’ graves in a campaign ad, calling the incident a “mistake” and saying he understands the pain of bereaved families.

“As soon as I was told this evening about the unfortunate editorial mistake that was made at Likud’s [campaign] headquarters, I ordered the removal of the image, an inquiry into the incident, and steps taken against those responsible for the mistake,” Netanyahu says.

“As a bereaved brother [of a fallen soldier] who has been going to his brother’s grave on Mount Herzl for the past 43 years, I understand well the pain of the families.”