He may have been fasting on Thursday “out of respect for his Muslim friends”, but Premier Mike Baird would not withdraw support for embattled Community Relations Commission chairman Vic Alhadeff.

Mr Alhadeff, who is also chief executive of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, issued an apology on Thursday for offending Sydney’s Muslim community by defending Israel’s actions in the deadly conflict with Gaza.

Apology: NSW Community Relations Commission head, Vic Alhadeff.

Mr Baird said Mr Alhadeff has his “full confidence”.

However, Arab community leader Joseph Wakim said that while he welcomed the statement, Mr Alhadeff was “dragged screaming” to apologise and his community relations role remains untenable.