The psalmist this Sunday praises the abundance showered on Israel by a generous God who “brought them to his holy land.” Visiting Israel and pondering its abundance relative to its Palestinian neighbors, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney suggested the disparity was a result of advantages of “culture” and “the hand of providence in selecting this place.” Angry Palestinian leaders said the comments were racist and ignored the impact of the Israeli occupation on their economy.

In the speech Romney said he had "read a number of books" on what makes countries successful. "I am overwhelmingly impressed with the hand of providence, whenever it chooses to apply itself,” he said, adding, “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.”

Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, called Romney’s remarks "a racist statement and this man doesn’t realize that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation,” Erekat said. “It seems to me this man lacks information, knowledge, vision, and understanding of this region and its people.”

The Palestinians have long complained that their economy is in a chokehold from Israeli security measures. The West Bank is subject to trade restrictions imposed by the Israelis, while Gaza was subject to a near-total Israeli blockade on people and goods after Hamas took control of its government five years ago.

Sources: Articles by Harriet Sherwood for The Guardian (U.K.), Ashley Parker and Richard
Oppel, Jr. for the New York Times, and Tom A. Peter for the Christian Science Monitor