Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

 
Opposing Views About Palestinians Between Bill Clinton and Mitt Romney

Bill Clinton on Palestinian Culture

Garance Franke-Ruta

The Atlantic, August 2, 2012

Former president Bill Clinton had a very, very different take from Mitt Romney on Palestinian culture and its impact on Palestinian economic success when he visited Saudi Arabia in the winter of 2011. According to a report in the Arab News:

"Ever since I left office I have tried to stay in touch with my friends in the Palestinian community and continue to press my friends in Israel on the case for peace," Clinton said. "It is a different world than it was 10 years ago when we brought the Palestinians and the Israelis together to strike a peace agreement, but then the underlining realities have not changed; political realities have not changed."

He said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad have done a remarkable job in the West Bank. "It is just an example of what would happen for the Palestinian people if they are given a chance to govern," Clinton said. "Palestinians are a hard-working and an incredible community. They have done remarkably well outside their country. I have never met a poor Palestinian in the United States; every Palestinian I know is a college professor or a doctor."

The problem in Israel, he said, is what happens in multiparty democracies around the world. "If you take a poll today, two-thirds of Israelis will support peace and a peace agreement," Clinton said. "However, it is hard to get an Israeli Parliament that reflects the people's views on this one issue. But we all have to keep pushing."

Clinton's diplomatic skills are not only demonstrably superior to Romney's here, Clinton appears to be using a more up to date understanding of the facts on the ground in the Middle East. Romney's original comments, as he's described them, appear to reflect an analysis of the situation formed during his years as a businessman in the 1980s and 1990s.

Why Arab Americans May Not Vote for Mitt Romney in the Presidential Election

Nada Tadros

Examiner, August 1, 2012

Chicago's Palestinian Americans, as well as Palestinians from all over, may very well not vote for Mitt Romney this upcoming presidential election in November, 2012. Romney has been causing a buzz, throughout the globe seemingly, over his rude comment during his previous visit to London, England. Although the rude remark has agitated not only the residents of London, but U.S. citizens as well, Romney has out done himself with his recent choice of words during his stay in Israel. Romney has Palestinians angered over the interpreted, 'racist' remark.

Although the presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, has won brownie points with Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Romney has seemingly lost some Palestinians' respect. Romney stated, 'If you could learn anything from the economic history of the world it's this: culture makes all the difference. 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.' He goes on to say that he acknowledges 'hand of providence in selecting Israel.'

Palestinian officials reacted almost immediately. Saeb Erakat, a Palestinian Authority's aide, stated, '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. It seems to me this man lacks information, knowledge, vision and understanding of this region and its people. He also lacks knowledge about the Israelis themselves. I have not heard any Israeli official speak about cultural superiority.'