When does praise of Israel become anti-Semitism? When it's offered by a Republican presidential contender. At least that's one interpretation being offered by the The Associated Press, which--when it comes to balanced political reporting--is rapidly becoming the dis-Associated Press.

Before finishing the Israeli leg of his foreign tour in Jerusalem on Monday, Mitt Romney praised the Jewish state's financial vitality.

"(A)s I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things."

Romney added:

"As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000 dollars, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality"

Refreshing isn't it? To hear an American leader praising individual initiative and success, instead of criticizing them as does a certain Complainer-In-Chief.

But how did the Associated Press report Romney's remarks? Notably, the AP story maintained as factual reporting--rather than as commentary--that the disparity between Israeli and Palestinian income is the result of "the crippling restrictions that Israel imposes on Palestinian trade and movement."

The AP also pulled the standard Obama trump card out of their stacked deck, and featured Palestinian reaction accusing Romney of being -- you guessed it -- a racist.

Finally, even though Romney's comments were obviously meant as praise for Israel and Jewish culture, the Associated Press tracked down one Israeli political science professor who offered that Romney's remark could be taken in several ways. One of them? "You can say it's anti-Semitic. 'Jews and money.' "

The AP manages to portray Romney's praise of Israel as both racist toward Palestinians and anti-Semitic?

Olympic gymnasts wish they could perform such contortions.

-William Tate is an award-winning journalist and author