PASSAIC COUNTY Democrats pulled an Arab-American candidate from their election ticket on Saturday amid a furor over comments he made four years ago that some interpreted as sympathetic to Palestinian suicide bombers. At the urging of state party leaders Passaic County Democrats withdrew its endorsement of Sami Merhi for freeholder. They chose a school board member to run in his place. The Lebanese-born Merhi made the comments at a September 2002 Democratic fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, where he condemned the Sept. 11 terrorists ``as cold-blooded murders’’ and ``crazy fanatics.’’ When asked whether he would apply the same label to Palestinian suicide bombers who target Israelis, Merhi said, ``I can’t see the comparison.’’ Merhi, who narrowly lost out on the party’s nod in 2004, was endorsed by the party last week. But top Democrats said they opposed his candidacy and county leaders decided to reconsider. Merhi hasn’t decided whether he will run without the party’s endorsement.