RAMALLAH, West Bank – Mitt Romney is undermining hopes for peace and democracy in the Middle East, a senior Palestinian official said Thursday in response to recent remarks to donors by the Republican presidential candidate that Palestinians have "no interest whatsoever" in peace.

Saeb Erekat, a top aide to President Mahmoud Abbas, rejected Romney's claim.

"No one stands to gain more from peace than the Palestinians, and no one stands to lose from the absence of peace like the Palestinians," Erekat told reporters. Those who tolerated Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian territories, are "working against democracy and peace," he added.