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Israel

No difference between Romney and Obama on Iran

August 2, 2012 11:39

ByAnshel Pfeffer, Anshel Pfeffer

1 min read

Despite Mitt Romney’s forceful rhetoric on Iran during his visit to Israel last weekend, the substance of his position differed very little from that of US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, who visited Jerusalem later in the week.

The Republican presidential candidate was careful not to openly criticise his rival, President Barack Obama, but succeeded in angering the Palestinian leadership.

Mr Romney had meetings on Sunday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Kadima Leader Shaul Mofaz, but did not go to Ramallah to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He had a short meeting with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad at his hotel.

The Palestinians were incensed when Mr Romney said that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel and that the differences between the Israeli and Palestinian economies are due to “culture”.