Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney again, put his foot in his mouth, when he told Jewish donors Monday that their culture was a part of why they were economically successful as opposed to the Palestinians. The Palestinians reacted swiftly saying Romney’s comments were racist.
“As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality,” the Republican presidential candidate told about 40 wealthy donors at the luxurious King David Hotel, huffingtonpost.com reported.
According to Romeny, there are economic theories which show that “culture makes all the difference.”
“And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things,” Romney said, pointing to the innovative business climate, the history of the Jewish people succeeding under difficult circumstances and the “hand of providence.” Â According to Romney, there are similar disparities between neighboring countries, like Mexico and the United States.
A senior aide to Palestian President Mahmoud Abbas, Saeb Erekat, characterized Romney’s comments as “racist” and pointed out that the Palestinian economy could not reach its true potential given the Israeli occupation.
“It is a racist statement and this man doesn’t realize that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation,” said Erekat.
“It seems to me this man lacks information, knowledge, vision and understanding of this region and its people,” Erekat added. “He also lacks knowledge about the Israelis themselves. I have not heard any Israeli official speak about cultural superiority.”
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