China: Romney lacks Mideast facts

China’s official press agency slammed Mitt Romney for asserting that Israel’s capital is Jerusalem, saying his remarks “totally neglect historical facts” and could even “reignite” a war with Palestinians.

“U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s statement that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel is likely to worsen the already tense Mideast situation, and even reignite a war between Palestinians and Israelis,” the Xinhua news agency wrote in an editorial Tuesday.


“Romney’s remarks totally neglect historical facts and are actually irresponsible if he just meant to appeal to voters at home,” the agency continued, saying his “radical words were intended to win the support of U.S. Jewish voters.”

Romney said during his visit to Israel that Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and suggested he would move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem if he were president, which enraged Palestinian officials.

( PHOTOS: Mitt Romney in Israel)

The editorial said such a move, “if translated into action, will cause international concern.”

“On these key issues, every serious politician should watch out for his or her words, especially those from the United States,” it added.