Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney aroused protest and condemnation for the second day in a row on Monday when he suggested at a private fundraising event in Israel -- hosted by US millionaire Sheldon Aldeson and other wealthy donors -- that Israeli financial prowess, compared to Palestinians, could be attributed to "cultural differences".

 

Palestinians called the remarks racist and pointed out that the Palestinian people of the West Bank and Gaza have lived under military occupation and economic blockade for decades, a fact Romney failed to mention.

The Romney campaign had originally barred reporters from the money-raising event, but relented after strong protest from journalists and their media outlets.