Update: On January 12, Pat Robertson apologized to the family of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for his remarks.  In a letter to Sharon's son Omri, Robertson wrote,"My zeal, my love of Israel, and my concern for the future safety of your nation led me to make remarks which I can now view in retrospect as in appropriate and insensitive in light of a national grief experienced because of your father's illness.  ... I ask your forgiveness and the forgiveness of the people of Israel."

A number of evangelical Christian leaders have spoken out to denounce Robertson's words. More

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New York, NY, January 5, 2006 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed "shock and outrage" at remarks by televangelist Pat Robertson on today's broadcast of his news program, "The 700 Club."  Following a report on the deteriorating health of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Robertson suggested that Sharon was being punished by God for his decision to disengage from Gaza.

"God has enmity against those who, quote 'divide my land,'" Robertson told his television audience.  "And I would say, Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the E.U., the United Nations or the United States of America.  God says, This land belongs to me.  You better leave it alone."  Robertson added that the 1995 assassination of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was, "the same thing." 

Robertson made similar remarks in August 2005 as the Gaza disengagement was being carried out.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

It is outrageous and shocking, but not surprising, that Pat Robertson once again has suggested that God will punish Israel's leaders for any decision to give up land to the Palestinians.  His remarks are un-Christian and a perversion of religion.  Unlike Robertson, we don't see God as cruel and vengeful.

We would hope that good Christian leaders would distance themselves from Pat Robertson's remarks.  It is pure arrogance for Robertson to suggest that he has divine knowledge of God's intent and purpose based on his interpretation of scripture.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.