From The Economist's Newsbook blog, "Arab reactions to the Cordoba mosque: What the Arab papers say":

Many commentators noted with concern rising Islamophobia in America. Hossam Eitani, writing in Dar al-Hayat, a pan-Arab daily, places the current bout of anti-Islamic feeling in a wider context of intolerance of minorities being championed by the tea-party movement:

"Some key figures in the Republican Party, such as former vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich, have come out in support of those opposed to the construction of mosques. The Tea Party movement supports them because it backs the Republican Party and is counting on a majority of Americans to contribute to the movement's religious, social and racist chauvinism. The group began by targeting Mr Obama and his social programme. It did everything possible to hinder his healthcare reforms. It has gone on to support Arizona's racist immigration law, designed to prevent Latin American immigration to America. Now it is taking an active role campaigning against building mosques."