Pat Robertson: Dividing Jerusalem will cost Bush votes in next election

Jerusalem Post ^ | Sep. 4, 2003 | MICHAEL FREUND

[yonif]

US Christian leader Pat Robertson has issued a stern warning to US President George W. Bush that any attempt to divide Jerusalem would cost him votes in next year's presidential election.

"If he moves against Jerusalem, if he tries to partition Jerusalem, then I think Christian leaders across the country will rise up and speak out very forcefully against him, and it could hurt him in a close election," Robertson told The Jerusalem Post.

The full text of the interview, which was conducted at Robertson's northern Virginia headquarters, will appear in Friday's paper.

Robertson, a reverend and former Republican presidential candidate, serves as chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network, a television station that reaches millions of Christians worldwide. He is considered a major force among conservative American Evangelicals, most of whom backed Bush in the 2000 presidential race.

A longtime supporter of Israel, Robertson had strong words of criticism for the US-backed road map, which calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state. "You know the prophet Joel speaks about those 'who divided my land,' that there is a curse on them. I think I would walk very, very softly if I were George Bush in this regard," he said.

Citing the pressures Bush is under from the European Union and the Arab states, as well as his own State Department, Robertson said Bush had made "a terrible mistake" in backing the plan, which he described as "ill-conceived" and unlikely to last.

Robertson also criticized the US for not allowing Israel to uproot Palestinian terrorism, saying: "The United States has held Israel back from doing what was needed. What was needed is to go in, like we went into Afghanistan."

Israel "needed to go in and flush out this nest of terrorists and do the job completely," he said. "Not just a few little tanks surrounding [Palestinian Authority Chairman] Yasser Arafat's headquarters and all that nonsense. They need to get in there and clean up."

Robertson also expressed concern about the status of Christians living under Palestinian rule, whom he said have been subjected to "terrible persecution" by the PA. "Bethlehem was essentially a Christian town. To the best of my knowledge, that whole area has been cleansed of its Christian population."

[yonif]

Robertson also criticized the US for not allowing Israel to uproot Palestinian terrorism, saying: "The United States has held Israel back from doing what was needed. What was needed is to go in, like we went into Afghanistan."

[Blue Highway]

"If he moves against Jerusalem, if he tries to partition Jerusalem, then I think Christian leaders across the country will rise up and speak out very forcefully against him

I'm sure GWB has better luck partitioning Jerusalem than I have partitioning my hard drive. Beware of Partition Magic...

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

I don't know if this was it, but I understood Robertson is doing an editorial in the JPost tomorrow, Friday, today there.

[CholeraJoe]

Did Robertson recently get circumcised? This is the most pro-Israeli statement I've ever heard from him.

Where am I wrong? /O'Reilly

[Radix]

The big problem for many of us is that Bush has our vote and he knows it.

Many of us who care will not allow an usurper such as Perot was in 1992 to screw up the election process again. Bush is getting a pass in 2004 because most of us are feeling so very contrite concerning our just chastising of his old man President Bush in 1992. We got what we deserved when we made our protest vote against George Bush, and Ross Perot took one fifth of the Presidential vote.

In my opinion, it is not right that "W" is taking advantage of us in this way, but hey, that is politics.

I have the habit of looking for the bright side, or silver lining as you were. Once "W" gets re-elected we will see some real change. I cannot believe that he would disappoint us. I firmly believe that the re-elected Bush is going to be the most powerful president that this Nation has ever known. It is frustrating watching the dance as it progresses. Nevertheless, 18 months from now, I anticipate great things from the man. I sincerely mean that.

I hope that I am not in for a big let down. That could happen. Still, I am the eternal optimist.

[Radix]

Oh, and by the way, Israel has had more leeway in the past two years or so for taking action against the effing terrorists than it has ever known in my lifetime.

Finally!

That is to say, we (USA) are talking the talk, but the Israelis are walking the walk.

Words are one thing, action is another. Radix watches!

[dennisw]

Oh, and by the way, Israel has had more leeway in the past two years or so for taking action against the effing terrorists than it has ever known in my lifetime.......


Israel needs to wise up and institute the death penalty. And use on Jihadist scum who have blood on their hands.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Robertson also expressed concern about the status of Christians living under Palestinian rule, whom he said have been subjected to "terrible persecution" by the PA. "Bethlehem was essentially a Christian town. To the best of my knowledge, that whole area has been cleansed of its Christian population."

This is something the media doesn't talk about.

[MatthewViti]

He doesn't have my vote.

[Happy2BMe]

God to Israel: (re: George W. Bush) "And I will bless those that bless you and I will curse those who curse you."

[Radix]

He doesn't have my vote.

Good for you.

It is a difficult thing to be caught up in the wake of a process such as this. I want my civil servants to work for me, yet, somehow, the BS from days gone by is compelling me to issue my vote in a way that seems unfair to me.

I want my civil servants to be answerable to me, but instead, I am somehow being forced to compromise my principles.

The alternative is simply too ugly for me to contemplate, or to consider. I simply cannot abide a democrat in the Oval Office again. They (dems) are too willing, ready, and able to destroy the foundations that built this Nation.

[nonliberal]

Pat Robertson is a useless twit.

[Bombard]

The man lost what power he had years ago. He is just a sorry old man who shoots his mouth off to often.

[Jorge]

I remember Pat Robertson running for President, because he claimed God personally told him to run.
Well I guess God must have wanted him to lose too.

I take every polictical statement from Robertson with a grain of salt.
I am a fundamentalist Christian and Robertson doesn't tell me who to vote for or not to vote for.

[UbIwerks]

He is one of he three wise men who have the truth to tell what Islam really is (Franklin Graham and Jerry Fallwell are the other two).

[mountainfolk]

Add Robertson to the growing list of christian leaders who say they will not vote for Pres Bush if he does/does not follow their current recommendations for whatever cause they insist is most worthy of consideration over any other US interest. No wonder the Republican party is expanding the big tent to insure that we have a chance of winning the next election and keeping George Bush as president. It is high time these christian leaders all got together and ran their own candidate instead of constantly sniping at George Bush. Fact is, they cannot win with their own candidate. Pres Bush needs to stay the course and do what is best for America and not get derailed by the various groups and their leaders who seem to forget that George Bush talks to the same God as do they. Could be that the Pres has marching orders that override the concerns of the fickle flocks that use their votes as some kind of a carrott that is never quite reachable.

[Valin]

I used to watch his show alot, he's always been strongly pro-Israel.

[Valin]

US Christian leader Pat Robertson has issued a stern warning to US President George W. Bush that any attempt to divide Jerusalem would cost him votes in next year's presidential election.

Did I miss something? Where has anyone in the Bush admin. say anything about dividing Jerusalem

[Bobby777]

appeasement only encourages terrorists ...