Samoa's Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt apologized after footage emerged showing him performing a Nazi salute and saying "Heil Hitler" at a family gathering in July 2007, the BBC reported Monday. Schmidt wore a tallis at his swearing-in ceremony in September 2025 and declared that Samoa "stands with Israel."
In the seven-second clip, Schmidt is seen leading about a dozen people in the salute, the Samoa Observer reported Sunday. In a statement published on Facebook Monday, Schmidt acknowledged his actions "were inappropriate and capable of causing offence and hurt," noting the video was recorded at a private event. "I reject Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism," he stated, according to the BBC.
Schmidt, who has Samoan and German heritage, told local media after taking office that "Samoa stands with the land of God," adding, "If people around the world don't like it, that's up to them, but Samoa stands with the land of God... There is only one God our country believes in, the God of Israel," the BBC reported.
