RAMALLAH, Ramadan 12, 1433, Jul 31, 2012, SPA - The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tuesday condemned remarks of US Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney which he had made in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and in which he had claimed that the economic gap between Israelis and Palestinians was due to cultural reasons. In a statement issued here today, the ministry described Romney’s remarks as "racist" and said these were “a blatant violation of international law and the American heritage that supports freedom of people and their independence.” It said Romney was denying the existence of the occupation and his remarks reflect "a clear assault on the Palestinian people and their rights," according to a report of Palestine News and Information Agency "WAM." --SPA 15:09 LOCAL TIME 12:09 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1019366