Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney outraged Palestinians yesterday, stirring fresh controversy on his visit to Israel just days after insulting the British on what was intended as a feel-good visit to the London Olympics.

It's not clear if Romney's remarks in either country will affect his prospects for defeating President Barack Obama in the November United States presidential election. The economy, not foreign affairs, has been the dominant issue in what polls show to be a tight race.

But the offence taken at Romney's remarks has undermined his attempt to avoid political risk as he made his first steps on to the world stage as the presumptive Republican nominee.

Romney has visited countries that are staunch US allies, limited questions from the media and arranged made-for-TV appearances at symbolic venues in London and Jerusalem, all intended to demonstrate he was ready to handle foreign affairs smoothly and lead in dangerous times.

Instead, as he made his final stop of a three-nation tour in Poland yesterday where he was expected to deliver a speech hostile to Russia, Republicans and Democrats alike were shaking their heads, wondering about Romney's ability to handle delicate topics with sensitivity on foreign soil, even under the friendliest conditions.

Romney's latest trouble stemmed from a speech he gave to Jewish donors in which he suggested their culture was part of what has allowed them to be more economically successful than the Palestinians. Kind words for Israel are standard for many American politicians, but Palestinian leaders suggested his specific comments were racist and out of touch with the realities of the Middle East.

Romney's campaign later said his remarks were mischaracterised.

Predictably, Obama's campaign was critical, senior strategist David Axelrod saying on Twitter: "Is there anything about Romney's Rolling Ruckus to inspire confidence in his ability to lead US foreign policy?"

It's unclear whether voters in the US are paying attention to Romney's stumbles, especially as worries about the economy dominate most Americans' concerns. Debra Hayes, a Republican-leaning independent from Denver, said Romney's overseas comments had no impact on her vote.

"I'm interested only in the economy - jobs, and the prices of things," said Hayes, who is undecided. "We need to stand with Israel. And our president needs to show leadership overseas. But things are going downhill at home, and that's what matters."

And Romney drew his share of favourable coverage back home. A speech on Israel policy, delivered at dusk against the backdrop of Jerusalem's Old City, drew praise for its setting and delivery. He and his wife, Ann, appeared relaxed and engaged in an interview on CNN, where Ann Romney described her husband as loving.

Still, missteps in the past week have fuelled opponents' contentions that the former businessman and Massachusetts governor is out of touch with the nation and the world he hopes to lead.

As the trip got under way, Romney caused a stir in Britain by questioning whether officials there were fully prepared to host the Olympic Games. The dispute overshadowed his efforts to highlight his personal experience leading the Salt Lake City Winter Games a decade ago. Instead, Romney was widely assailed by the London media and criticised by British leaders. He was also suspected of either forgetting, or not knowing, Labour's Ed Miliband when he referred to him as "Mr Leader" at a joint press conference.

Then on his first day in Israel, Romney distanced himself from an adviser's suggestion that he would "respect" a decision by Israel to launch military action to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear weapons capability.

Later at a fundraiser, Romney shared a sentiment he sometimes talks about on the campaign trail in the United States and repeats in his book, No Apology. But his decision to highlight cultural differences in a region where such differences have helped fuel violence for generations prompted new questions about his diplomatic skills and enraged Palestinian leaders.

Comparing economic output per capita in Israel and "across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority", he declared "you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality", citing innovative business and the Jewish history of thriving in difficult circumstances, and adding that similar disparities exist between other neighbours such as the US and Mexico .AP

By Kasie Hunt