WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitt Romney says he wasn't criticizing Palestinian culture at a fundraiser in Jerusalem on Monday.

Palestinian officials accused the Republican presidential candidate of racism for suggesting that culture helps explain the economic disparity between Israelis and Palestinians

On Tuesday, Romney told Fox News that he wasn't specifically talking about Palestinian culture and doesn't plan to during the campaign.

He's downplaying a series of perceived missteps and instead blaming the media. Romney says reporters are more interested in "finding something to write" than about reporting on the economy and national security threats.

Romney prompted angry headlines across England last week when he questioned London's readiness for the Olympics.

He says the media is trying to "divert from the fact that these last four years have been tough years for our country."