Now, 'Mitt the Twit' Romney branded 'racist' over 'Israelis richer than Palestinians' remarks

London, July 31 (ANI): US Republican Presidential contender Mitt Romney has now been accused of racism after he suggested that that Israelis were richer than Palestinians because of their cultural and religious superiority.

Romney, who is struggling to regain momentum after a troubled trip to London, where he criticised Olympic preparations, is now being slammed for 'promoting extremism and hatred.'

The former Massachusetts governor said that Israel was more prosperous than the Palestinian territories because of its culture and the 'hand of providence', seen by some Palestinians as a reference to God .

"As you 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," the Telegraph quoted Romney, as saying.

"As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about 21,000 dollars, and compare that with the GDP per capital just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like 10,000 dollars per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality," he added.

According to the paper, senior Palestinian figures expressed anger over Romney's remarks.

"It is a racist statement and this man doesn't realise that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation," the paper quoted Saeb Erekat, the veteran Palestinian negotiator with close ties with the US, as saying.

"It seems to me this man lacks information, knowledge, vision and understanding of this region and its people. What this man is doing here is just promoting extremism, violence and hatred, and this is absolutely unacceptable," he added. (ANI)