Robertson apologizes for Sharon comments

JERUSALEM — Evangelist Pat Robertson has apologized for his comments suggesting that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Jan. 4 stroke was divine punishment for withdrawing from the Gaza Strip. The apology has been accepted by Israel.

Responding to the news of Sharon’s stroke, Robertson suggested on his television show that it was divine retribution,

“You read the Bible and He says ‘This is my land,’ and for any prime minister of Israel who decides he is going to carve it up and give it away, God says, ‘No, this is mine.’”

In Robertson's broadcast from his Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach, the evangelist said he had personally prayed about a year ago with Sharon, whom he called “a very tender-hearted man and a good friend.” He said he was sad to see Sharon in this condition. He also said, however, that in the Bible, the prophet Joel “makes it very clear that God has enmity against those who ‘divide my land.’”

The reaction was swift and not limited to Israelis, who threatened to derail Robertson’s planned development of a Christian tourism center in Israel.

Tourism Minister Abraham Hirchson said he gave instructions to “stop all contact” with groups associated with Robertson, the AP reported. But Hirchson said the order did not apply to “all the evangelical community, God forbid.”

The Anti-Defamation League also issued a statement urging Christian leaders to distance themselves from the remarks.

Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, called Robertson’s comments arrogant and insensitive.

“Even if one agreed with Pat Robertson’s position that the Israelis do not have the right to grant part of the Holy Land to the Palestinians, it would be well beyond Rev. Robertson’s competence to discern that these tragic events were in any way, shape or form the result of God’s judgment on any individuals,” Land said.

The Rev. Ted Haggard, president of the 30 million-member National Association of Evangelicals, told CNN that the controversy “is a blow to evangelical-Israeli relations—and the situation is unfortunate.”

The White House also weighed in.

“Those comments are wholly inappropriate and offensive and really don't have a place in this or any other debate,” presidential spokesman Trent Duffy.

Early on, Robertson spokeswoman Angell Watts said that Robertson was “simply reminding his viewers what the Bible has to say about efforts made to divide the land of Israel.”

But in a Jan. 11 letter to Sharon’s son, Omri, Robertson said that in retrospect he now realizes his comments were “inappropriate and insensitive” in light of the national grief being experienced as a result of Sharon’s illness.

Robertson wrote, “I ask your forgiveness and the forgiveness of the people of Israel for saying what was clearly insensitive at the time.”

After continuing in the letter by describing himself as “one of the strongest supporters of the nation of Israel anywhere in the world,” Robertson then talked about future threats he sees against the nation of Israel.

He concluded by saying, “I pray for the future security of your country and, when I speak, it is always as a friend. Thank you for your kindness in receiving this letter. Please be assured of my prayers and best wishes for you and your father in this time of your grief.”

According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Israel’s ambassador to the United States has accepted Robertson’s apology and plans to speak with him.

Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that Robertson had taken to heart the outrage over his comments.

“I felt he was very sincere,” Ayalon said. “He is a great friend of Israel.”

Christian center OK?
Ayalon said he expected that Robertson will again be allowed to participate in a project to build a Christian theme park in Israel.

The Associated Press reported that Robertson's Christian Heritage Center is planned for 35 acres of rolling Galilee hills near key Christian sites, including Capernaum, the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and a location on the shores of the Sea of Galilee—where Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fish.

Israel has been considering leasing the land to the Christians for free, the AP reported.

“From our perspective, such a statement made for a person that is lying in a hospital bed is outrageous,” Deputy Tourism Minister Rami Levy told CNN after Robertson’s comment.

Robertson is leading a group of evangelicals who have pledged to raise $50 million to build the Christian Heritage Center in Israel's northern Galilee region, the AP reported.

Under a tentative agreement, Robertson's group was to put up the funding, while Israel would provide land and infrastructure. The AP reported that tourism minister Hirchson had predicted it would draw up to 1 million pilgrims a year, generate $1.5 billion in spending and support about 40,000 jobs.

CNN reported that Robertson founded the Christian Coalition and sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1988. He last stirred controversy last August, when he called for the killing of Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez.

The same month, CNN reported, the Anti-Defamation League criticized Robertson for warning that God would “bring judgment” against Israel for its withdrawal from Gaza, which it had occupied since the 1967 Mideast war.

Published, February 2006

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