January 13, 2006
by Michele Green
Ecumenical News International

JERUSALEM – Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson has sent a letter to the son of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, apologizing for suggesting that Sharon's stroke was divine punishment for withdrawing from the Gaza Strip.

"I ask your forgiveness and the forgiveness of the people of Israel for saying what was clearly insensitive at the time," Robertson wrote in a letter to Sharon's son, Omri.

Sharon is fighting for his life at a Jerusalem hospital after suffering a stroke last week that could leave him severely impaired.

The day after the stroke, Robertson suggested on his "700 Club" program that the illness was punishment from God for Israel's pullout from Gaza. The withdrawal is seen by some Christian groups as a betrayal of Biblical promises of Jewish sovereignty over the Holy Land.

"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 inappropriate and insensitive," Robertson wrote.

Israeli Tourism Minister Avraham Hirchson said Robertson's remarks had provoked him to cancel a $50 million deal with Robertson to build a Christian park by the Sea of Galilee.

Presbyterian News Service