Terrorist organization or creamy chickpea dip? US Presidential candidate mispronounces Hamas

Many took offense to Ben Carson's mispronunciation of a US and EU designated terrorist group as a Middle Eastern chickpea dish.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: DECEMBER 4, 2015 13:29
Hummus (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Hummus
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
US Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson repeatedly mispronounced the name of the terrorist organization Hamas, pronouncing it as "Hummus" while speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) summit in Washington on Thursday.
During his speech before the affluent crowd of potential donors in attendance at the event, Carson said “Fatah and Hamas operate in a constant state of conflict,” adding “Fatah rules the West Bank. Hamas rules the Gaza Strip.”
But his pronunciation of Hamas sounded closer to the word Hummus.
Many people took offense to his mispronunciation of a US and EU designated terrorist group as a Middle Eastern chickpea dish. Social media was immediately bombarded with sarcastic comments regarding Carson's knowledge and understanding of the Middle East and basic foreign policy.

"Hummus is sworn to the destruction of Israeli efforts to lose weight," tweeted one user.

"Ben Carson is pronouncing 'Hamas' like 'Hummus'... I wish Dr. Carson. Then I could literally eat away all of Israel's problems," wrote another.

Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, has faced scrutiny over his foreign policy credentials and this latest mishap highlighted the perception that he does not fully comprehend the complicated dynamics of the region.