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Israel should never have included Robertson in plans for the Galilee project to begin with. He has manipulated too many similar projects to his own personal financial ends. Israel tourism's breaking ties with him is healthy for Israeli politics and for the future of evangelical relations with Israel. And, by the way, no evangelical leader opposes Sharon's recovery. But is there something more behind that "very, very carefully" line? If Israel's next step will be to force the other evangelical partners into undying, unwavering support of the Israeli prime minister and all of his policies, there's going to be a problem. Evangelical groups are being asked to put up $50 million for the project.

In the meantime, Robertson has sent a fence-mending letter to Sharon's son, Omri (p.1, p. 2).

Pat Robertson:

1. Israel rejects Pat Robertson funding | While Hirchson pulled the plug on Robertson, the project is going ahead as planned and looking for alternative avenues of finance (The Jerusalem Post)
   
   
2. Israel won't do business with Robertson | Israel will not do business with Pat Robertson after the evangelical leader suggested Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's massive stroke was divine punishment for the Gaza withdrawal, a tourism official said Wednesday (Associated Press)
   
   
3. Israelis' anger at evangelist may delay Christian center | Israel said that it was breaking off negotiations on a tourism project with Pat Robertson in response to his remarks about Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke (The New York Times)
   
   
4. Israel cuts Robertson from Galilee tourist park | Angered by Pat Robertson's suggestion that God punished Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with a stroke, Israel has booted the religious broadcaster from a group of American evangelicals it is working with to establish a Christian tourism center in Galilee (The Virginian-Pilot)
   
   
5. Prophet of doom's message costs him Bible theme park | The Israeli Tourism Ministry pulled the plug on a £40 million partnership with the controversial preacher to build a biblical theme park on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, (The Times, London)
   
   
6. Robertson tries to save Jesusland after Sharon gibe | "The contract is still open - just not with Mr Robertson. If there are other Christian leaders, they are most welcome to sign a contract to bring Christian tourists to the State of Israel." (The Times, London)
   
   
7. Israel punishes US TV evangelist | Israel is pulling out of a $50 million deal with US TV evangelist Pat Robertson after he said Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution (BBC)
   
   
8. Planned tourist site on hold | Following Pat Robertson's controversial remarks on Sharon, Israel suspends talks with evangelical leader to develop center there (Newsday)
   
   
9. Israel: Woe unto Pat Robertson for criticizing Sharon | Nation cuts ties with Christian broadcaster (CNN)
   
   
10. Israel may scuttle evangelical complex | The Israeli Tourism Ministry is threatening to block the Rev. Pat Robertson's plan for an evangelical center alongside the Sea of Galilee, after the televangelist suggested last week that Prime Minister Sharon's stroke was a punishment from God (Forward, Jewish newspaper)
    
    

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January (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50