Samoa’s prime minister apologises over leaked Nazi gesture video
Samoa’s Prime Minister La’auli Leuatea Schmidt has apologised after a video from a private family gathering appeared to show him saying “Heil Hitler” and making a Nazi salute. He said the footage was almost 20 years old and reaffirmed his opposition to Nazism, antisemitism and racism.
Samoa’s prime minister has apologised after a video surfaced showing him saying “Heil Hitler” and making a gesture associated with Nazi Germany. La’auli Leuatea Schmidt said in a statement on Monday that the footage was recorded at a private family gathering almost 20 years ago and was never intended for public release. He acknowledged that the words and gesture were inappropriate and could cause offence and hurt.
“I reject Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism,” Schmidt said. The apology comes as the prime minister has expressed strong support for Israel and pledged to open a Samoan embassy in Jerusalem before the end of the year. Schmidt was sworn in as prime minister in 2025 while wearing a Jewish prayer shawl and entering to the sound of a ceremonial shofar, according to local media.
He said at the time that Samoa would support Israel and the “holy land of God”. The source material says deeply religious Pacific nations such as Samoa hold strong beliefs in Old Testament prophecy concerning the Jewish people’s eventual return to the Land of Israel. Schmidt did not suggest that the video reflected his current political views.
His statement focused on accepting responsibility for the conduct shown in the footage and apologising for its potential impact.
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