JTA: A Jewish senator apologized to an Arab American group for comparing? Dubai to the devil.? Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) was among lawmakers who helped defeat a plan to hand management of six major U.S. ports to a Dubai-owned company. ?We wouldn?t transfer the title to the devil; we?re not going to transfer it to Dubai,? Lautenberg said earlier this year. He apologized in a letter to the Arab American Institute after meeting with its representatives.

?I have respect for our Arab American community and want to work to foster a positive relationship,? the letter said. ?I believe our discussion clearly confirmed that we have a great deal in common regarding our families, our security policies, and our country.?

Another Jewish lawmaker, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), compared the proposed sale to dealing with skinheads. He has refused AAI?s calls on him to apologize.