Will this man ever learn?
After nearly a week of rebukes by Israeli officials, evangelical leaders and mainstream media, Pat Robertson has apologized for publicly implying that Israel?s prime minister, Ariel Sharon, suffered a stroke as divine retribution for giving land to Palestinians.Robertson sent the apology to Sharon?s son Omri in a letter dated Wednesday that was to be delivered to the Jerusalem hospital where Sharon is being treated.
But is this apology just business?
Israel?s tourism ministry cited Robertson?s comments last week in expelling him from a group of American evangelicals who are helping the ministry plan a Christian tourist center in Galilee. Daniel Ayalon, Israel?s ambassador to the United States, said last week that Robert?s comments were ?outrageous? and not something to expect ?from any of our friends.?[Robertson?s spokeswoman Angell] Watts declined to comment Thursday on why Robertson sent the apologetic letter or whether apologies also had gone to Israeli officials. She also had no comment on whether Robertson sought or hopes to be reinstated in the Galilee tourism project.
You be the judge.