Health Minister Zane DeSilva last night apologised for using the “insensitive and incorrect” term “jewing down” in the House of Assembly.The Progressive Labour Party MP uttered the phrase during a parliamentary debate on Friday but withdrew it minutes later when Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards complained it was offensive to Jews. The One Bermuda Alliance lambasted him for the remark yesterday, while the Jewish Community of Bermuda said it received many complaints from members and was “very offended”.Mr DeSilva later said in a statement released by Government: “My attention has been drawn to the degree of concern that still exists around a comment I made during the motion to adjourn in the House of Assembly this past Friday.“Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my sincere apology for the comment and to those who I offended in uttering it.“I accept that my remarks were insensitive and incorrect and my instant withdrawal of the comment at the time it was uttered, without instruction from the Speaker of the House, is clear evidence of my regret.“Bermuda's community is diverse. My responsibility and commitment is to all residents of our community and thus I strongly apologise once again for the concern and discomfort my words have caused.”The Southampton East Central MP told The Royal Gazette: “It's just an old Bermudian term. It's unfortunate but these things happen. I apologised on the floor of the House.“I think a lot of times we do these things on the spur of the moment in the House. We tend to get a little fiery at times. It's regrettable and it can be offensive.“I apologised Friday and I'll apologise again. If anyone else wishes to talk to me, I'll apologise face to face.”Mr DeSilva used the term in response to remarks made by Mr Richards about the escalating cost of doing business in Bermuda and the declining convenience level.The Minister said: “The honourable member certainly seems to be misleading this honourable House. Just a minute ago the honourable member said there's over a million square feet of empty office space in Bermuda and that the possible or prospective tenants will be jewing down or asking for lower rents.”Mr Richards accused Mr DeSilva of using offensive language. “We do have members of that particular faith that are residents of this Island and have been for generations so I think he should withdraw that comment.”The Minister said he would withdraw the comment “regarding Jews”.Stanley Lowe, the Speaker of the House, told this newspaper he did not hear the remark but would have “absolutely” deemed it out of order if he had, as he considered it an offensive term.“Sometimes the Speaker doesn't always hear what's being said and I can assure you that was one of those occasions,” he said. “I didn't pursue it further. The Speaker did not hear it.”Fiona Elkinson, President of the Jewish Community of Bermuda, said: “The Jewish community were very offended by the statement. I received a lot of complaints from members.”She said it was not a “big issue” since the Minister concerned withdrew the remark and all involved were aware the phrase was unacceptable.But she urged politicians to be aware of what was offensive language, noting that her organisation's 120 members are “largely expats and largely executives” in the insurance industry.“We have a high number of people who are executives and in high positions and they are very concerned.”Last night, One Bermuda Alliance chairman Michael Fahy said: "The OBA welcomes Minister DeSilva's statement. This is a step in the right direction. There are so many pressing issues facing our island. This incident, while distracting from issues like the poor economy, rising crime and education problems, still needed to be addressed. Silence to such matters means consent."The OBA will continue to call out such incidents to ensure a higher standard of governance and put forward our plans to solve the country's problems."Earlier in the day, Mr Fahy called on Premier Paula Cox to make Mr DeSilva apologise to the Island's Jewish community.“The One Bermuda Alliance believes government, any government, must set the highest standards of conduct in professional and private life,” he said.“Only through example can we reinforce the values that our young people need to grow into productive, law-abiding citizens.”He said the OBA found the term “disgusting, derogatory and disgraceful”, adding it was used by the Minister on the day Ms Cox said parliamentarians “must all be models of leadership”.“Well, Madame Premier, here is an opportunity to give meaning to your words,” he said.Mr Fahy said his party supported a comment made on Monday by a PLP spokesman reacting to anti-PLP graffiti, who urged people not to use “smear, negative imagery and cheap character assassinations”.“We cannot tolerate abusive, alienating, racial language in any form,” added Mr Fahy. “Unfortunately, the PLP has failed time and again to enforce best standards when it comes to public statements by its members.“In recent years, its members have used offensive language such as ‘house niggers' or ‘racist dog' to cite just two. In each and every case, the words were allowed to stand.”Asked for comment, the Premier's spokeswoman said any response would come from the PLP. The party's spokesman had nothing to add to the Minister's statement.Useful websites: http://jewishbermuda.com, www.plp.bm, www.oba.bm.