Palestinian Anger Over Romney "Culture" Remark

Mitt Romney has enraged Palestinians by saying a better "culture" explains Israel's economic dominance in the latest remark on his overseas tour that critics are calling a gaffe.

Published

10 months ago

Categories

Sports, Olympic Sports, US, US Politics, World, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, Middle East

Topics

Olympic Sports, Middle East & North Africa, Europe, United States

People

Mitt Romney, Boris Johnson

Places

United States of America, Israel, London, Palestine, West Bank, Ramallah, United Kingdom, Palestinian Authority

Transcript

Mitt Romney has enraged Palestinians by saying a better "culture" explains Israel's economic dominance in the latest remark on his overseas tour that critics are calling a gaffe. (July 30) (Location: White House - July 30, 2012) (Source: AP) (VO: Romney at Wailing Wall) (Voice-over) VISITING TO ISRAEL, MITT ROMNEY SOUGHT TO VOICE STAUNCH SUPPORT. (SOT/Mitt Romney, GOP presidential candidate) "A free and strong America will always stand with a free and strong Israel." (VO: More B-roll Romney in Israel) (Voice-over) BUT WHAT HE'S ALSO DONE IS INFURIATE PALESTINIANS IN WHAT CRITICS ARE CALLING ANOTHER GAFFE. (VO: Cutaways from Romney speech) AT A FUNDRAISER, HE ASSERTED ISRAEL'S PROSPERED MORE THAN THE PALESTINIANS IN PART BECAUSE OF A SUPERIOR "CULTURE." (VO: To Erekat) PALESTINIANS CALLED THAT BIGOTRY. (SOT/Saeb Erekat, spokesman, Palestinian authority - from APTN Poland Mideast Romney - dateline RAMALLAH, West Bank) "Look, Palestinians and Israelis may be in a conflict. But Palestinians and Israelis are people, equal. Such racist statements do not serve those who are trying to protect and save lives in this region." (VO: Romney walking in London) (Voice-over) ROMNEY'S SWING THROUGH BRITAIN, ISRAEL AND POLAND WAS SUPPOSED TO BURNISH HIS FOREIGN POLICY CREDENTIALS. (VO: Romney meeting with Cameron) (Voice-over) BUT HE'D HARDLY BEGUN WHEN HE ENRAGED THE BRITISH BY DOUBTING THEIR READINESS FOR THE OLYMPICS. (SOT/Boris Johnson, London mayor) "I hear there's a guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know whether we're ready. He wants to know whether we're ready. Are we ready? Are we ready? Yes we are!" (VO: London papers headlines, then WH briefing) (Voice-over) THE BRITISH PRESS HAD A FIELD DAY WITH ROMNEY, AND WHILE HE SUFFERED, THE WHITE HOUSE GLEEFULLY TWISTED THE KNIFE, SAYING PRESIDENT OBAMA HAD NO DOUBTS. (SOT/Jay Carney, White House press secretary) "He has the utmost confidence in our close friend and ally, the United Kingdom, as they finalize preparations to host the London Olympics." (VO: President Obama campaign handshaking B-roll) (Voice-over) HOW IMPORTANT ARE THESE MISCUES IN A CAMPAIGN THAT'S OVERWHELMINGLY ABOUT THE ECONOMY? THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN. (VO: Romney handshaking or walking in Israel) (Voice-over) HOWEVER, AN OVERSEAS TOUR DESIGNED AS ROMNEY'S ASSURED DEBUT ON THE WORLD STAGE HAS MANAGED TO RAISE FRESH QUESTIONS. MARK SMITH, ASSOCIATED PRESS, THE WHITE HOUSE (****END****) VIDEO PRODUCER: Nicole Grether --------------------------- VIDEO SOURCE: AP; pool video ----------------------- VIDEO APPROVAL: Donna Starddard ---------------------------- VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: none ---------------------------------- MARKET EMBARGO (S): none -------------------------------- SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE: MARK SMITH