La'auli Leuatea Schmidt has previously voiced his staunch support for Israel and has committed to opening an embassy in Jerusalem before the end of the year. (Government of Samoa/FB pic)

SYDNEY: Samoa's prime minister apologized on Monday after video surfaced showing him saying "Heil Hitler" and making a Nazi gesture.

Prime minister La'auli Leuatea Schmidt said the footage was from a family gathering almost 20 years ago and was never meant to see the light of day.

"The footage shows me using the words 'Heil Hitler' and participating in a gesture associated with Nazi Germany in a private family gathering -- not intended for the public," he said in a statement.

"Whatever the context or intention at that gathering twenty years ago, I recognise that those words and gesture were inappropriate and capable of causing offence and hurt and I apologise for using them."