Bush told 'Hands off Jerusalem'

2004-10-04 15:07

Jerusalem - American evangelist Pat Robertson warned US President George W Bush on Monday that he would risk losing the support of evangelical Christians if he changed his position supporting Israeli sovereignty over all of Jerusalem.

During a visit to Jerusalem, Robertson has spoken repeatedly in favor of Israel and lambasted Arab countries, warning that the establishment of a Palestinian state would threaten Israel's survival and interfere with "God's plan".

Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed the section of the city as part of its capital.

Palestinians want east Jerusalem for the capital of a future state. The holy city is revered by Muslims, Jews and Christians.

US didn't recognise annexation

Most nations, including the United States, never recognised Israel's annexation of east Jerusalem and keep their embassies in Tel Aviv.

Evangelical Christians - estimated at tens of millions of Americans - overwhelmingly support Bush for his pro-Israel policies, Robertson told a Jerusalem news conference Monday.

"But... if he touches Jerusalem and he really gets serious about taking east Jerusalem and making it the capital of a Palestinian state, he'll lose virtually all evangelical support," Robertson said. "I think this is the key issue."

Bush had promised in his election campaign in 2000 to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem as a sign of US backing for Israel's hold on the city.

But he later thwarted congressional action to move the Embassy, reflecting official US policy that the fate of the city should be negotiated by Israel and the Palestinians.

Robertson said Israel should not have to give up land for a Palestinian state but Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt should take in the 3.5m Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

'A question of God's plan'

The founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network unabashedly said he favours Israel over the Palestinians, saying "it isn't a question of politics, it's just a question of God's plan."

Jews and Christians have a common heritage and a different God than the Muslims, Robertson said.

The Virginia-based reverend is visiting Israel as a guest of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.

More than 4 000 evangelical Christian pilgrims are touring Israel during Sukkot, the Feast of the Tabernacles, a Jewish holiday some Christians also celebrate.

- AP