Former Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachman has asked for forgiveness for "ignorant" remarks she made about Jews in the past.
During the Knesset interfaith Bible study on Sunday, Bachman issued an apology for her past statements, although she did not specifically mention the remarks she was referring to.
"Personally, I know that in ignorance... myself, I have stated things that I should not have said and I profoundly apologize and repent and ask forgiveness from Almighty God for my statements that, though said in ignorance, have brought pain," Bachman said, according to Times of Israel.
The former congresswoman went on to express remorse for the "horrible and, yes, I would say, the arrogant way that Christians — I would include myself among them — have treated and regarded the Jewish people" in the past.
There has been speculation that Bachman was pertaining to her interview in 2015, when she suggested that Christians should convert as many Jews as they can before the return of Christ.
Bachman, who ran for president in 2012, told Washington Watch in 2015 that "the Holy Spirit is speaking to each one of us, to be faithful in the Kingdom and to help bring in as many as we can — even among the Jew."
When asked by reporters if her apology was related to the 2015 interview, Bachman replied, "My statement stands for itself".
The Knesset interfaith Bible study, organized by Likud lawmaker Yehudah Glick, came a day before the official opening of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.
Glick, who led the Bible study, told reporters that he was not aware of the statements that Bachman was apologizing for. "I don't know exactly what she was referring to. I try to forget the bad. I try to remember only the good," he said.
The Bible study also coincided with Jerusalem Day, which marks the 51st anniversary of Israel's success in recapturing the Old City.
The Bible study session drew about 120 participants, most of whom were Americans.
Among the attendees was Pastor Jim Garlow, who was one of U.S. President Donald Trump's faith advisers during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The pastor, who preaches at Skyline Church in California, also asked forgiveness from Jews for the way they were treated by Christians in the past. He stressed during the Bible study that he was there to learn and not to teach.
Garlow's Schindler Society was one of the sponsors of the event, along with Israel 365, an organization that focuses on bringing Christians and Jews together.
