Robertson Suggests God Is Punishing Sharon

NORFOLK, Va. —  Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson suggested Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s stroke was divine punishment for “dividing God’s land.”

“God considers this land to be his,” Robertson said on his TV program “The 700 Club.” “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.’ ”

Robertson also said he considered Sharon “a good friend” and was sad to see him ill.

Sharon “was dividing God’s land and I would say woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the EU [European Union], the United Nations, or the United States of America,” Robertson said.

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

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said a religious leader “should not be making callous political points while a man is struggling for his life.”