Romney upsets Palestinians on Israel trip

30 Jul 2012, 8:26 pm   -   Source: AAP
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has discussed Iran's nuclear ambitions with Israel. (AAP)

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has discussed Iran's nuclear ambitions with Israel. (AAP)

US presidential candidate Mitt Romney has upset Palestinian leaders, first by saying Jerusalem is Israel's capital and then praising Jewish culture.

Having publicly pledged to protect Israel, US presidential candidate Mitt Romney has stirred controversy by telling Jewish donors their culture is part of what has allowed them to be more economically successful than the Palestinians.

Romney, seated next to billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson at a fundraising breakfast, said he had read books and relied on his own business experience to understand why the difference between Israel and the Palestinian territories is so great.

"And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognise the power of at least culture and a few other things," Romney said, citing an innovative business climate, the Jewish history of thriving in difficult circumstances and the "hand of providence".

The reaction of Palestinian leaders was quick and strong.

"What is this man doing here? Yesterday, he destroyed negotiations by saying Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and today he is saying Israeli culture is more advanced than Palestinian culture. Isn't this racism? Israelis and Palestinians have a conflict, but they are people, they are equal, it is not a better culture or advanced culture," said Saeb Erekat, a top Palestinian official.

"It's Israeli occupiers and Palestinians under occupation, and that's why Palestinians cannot realise their potential."

The breakfast with top donors - including Adelson, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and hedge fund manager Paul Singer - concluded Romney's visit to Israel, the second leg of a three-nation tour designed to bolster his foreign policy credentials.

Standing on Israeli soil for the first time as the Republican Party's presumptive presidential nominee, Romney on Sunday declared Jerusalem to be the capital of the Jewish state.

The status of Jerusalem is a critical issue in peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

During his visit to Israel, Romney did not meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas or visit the West Bank. He held a brief meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

Romney's campaign says his trip abroad, which began in England last week, is aimed at improving the former Massachusetts governor's foreign policy experience through a series of meetings with foreign leaders. The candidate has largely avoided direct criticism of US President Barack Obama while on foreign soil.

However, the Jerusalem fundraiser was a political event that raised more than $US1 million for Romney's campaign.

Both presidential candidates have aggressively courted American donors living abroad, a practice that is legal and has been used for decades.

Several donors were among those gathered in Jerusalem for Romney's speech on Sunday.

Romney's declaration that Jerusalem is Israel's capital was in keeping with claims made by Israeli governments for decades, even though the US, like other nations, maintains its embassy in Tel Aviv.

His remarks on the subject during his speech drew a standing ovation from his audience, which included Adelson, the American businessman who has promised to donate more than $US100 million to help defeat Obama.

Adelson was among a several donors who flew to Israel for a day of sightseeing with Romney in addition to private meetings with top Israeli officials.

A group of donors also met with a top aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Romney met with Netanyahu and other leaders before the speech. He also visited the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, where he was mobbed by worshippers.

In his remarks, Romney steered clear of overt criticism of Obama, even though he said the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran "has only become worse" in the past five years.

Romney flew to the Middle East from Britain, where he caused a stir by questioning whether officials there were fully prepared for the Olympic Games. A stop in Poland will complete his trip.

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