You Just Knew Romney's Israel Trip Would Endure A Londonesque Gaffe

Here's what happened. Romney told the Israelis that all options were on the table.  They thought he was referring to Iran, but he meant out-doing his London Olympics gaffes.

And there it is: his big dollar fund-raising dinner canceled because his campaign's goofmeisters scheduled it on a Jewish fasting holiday.

However, his [Sic] Romney's gaffe-prone world tour was not without error in Israel as it was revealed he was forced to cancel a high-price dinner fundraiser in the nation because it was scheduled for a Jewish day of fasting.

The cultural misstep followed a disastrous trip to Britain, where he insinuated that London was not ready for the Olympic games -- receiving cutting rebukes from Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson...

The Republican presidential candidate originally had planned a $50,000-a-plate dinner in Israel for Sunday night -- even though today is also Tisha B'Av, a Jewish day to mourn the victim and the Holocaust and the destruction of first and second Temple of Jerusalem.

It is traditionally a day of fast when restaurants in Israel are closed by law. 


The Huffington Post reports that Romney's campaign knew the significance of the date, but planned the fundraiser anyway, hoping a 'small meeting but a big fundraiser' wouldn't offend his Israeli supporters. 


'Dietary laws will be observed. Refreshments will not be served until after the fast,' read the invitation to the event.

Holy: Tisha B'Av was originally meant to mourn the destruction of the first and second Temple of Jerusalem, though it has also become a day to mourn the victims of the Holocaust

The campaign, however, didn't expect a backlash from Israelis, who were upset that the former Massachusetts governor planned to raise money during the solemn occasion.

You can't make this stuff up.