Is Pat Robertson the right enemy?
As opposed to Pat Robertson, Arab MKs get a free pass from Israel
Pat Robertson made a mistake. There is no question that he was wrong to fix Ariel Sharon's affliction to God's wrath.
Here is a case, however, where Robertson is wrong, but so is Israel for cutting off his plans to build a Christian religious center at the Sea of Galilee.
The New York Times was quick to point out that Israel was "angry" at Robertson. Also, Israel was "punishing" Robertson.
It's important, as we know, to choose your friends carefully, and just as important to choose your enemies with the same caution.
Robertson was prepared to contribute some USD 50 million for the establishment of a Christian Heritage Center, and he is always prepared to profess his love for the State of Israel, and that is no small thing as his message, mostly through his Christian Broadcasting Network, CBN, reaches 180 countries in 71 languages. His American evangelical devotees number anywhere between 40 and 60 million.
This "pope" does have an army.
Israel was correct to take offense at Robertson's charge that by "dividing the land" (Gaza) God smote Sharon. That is an insult to the head of the Jewish State.
But if Israel chooses to get touchy, it might look first in its own backyard. Several weeks ago, Knesset Member Azmi Bishara traveled to Lebanon, and in Lebanon Bishara said that Israel was "the robbery of the century." Israelis, said Bishara, "should leave and take their democracy with them."
And more recently, Bishara has grown weary of the good wishes for the ailing Sharon pouring in from around the world when, according to Bishara, Sharon is a "war criminal." How is Bishara different from Robertson - except that Bishara gets a free pass from Israel, and Robertson doesn't?
Why not Robertson?
From this distance (I live in the U.S.), we know of no anger against MK Bishara, at least nothing compared to the anger directed at Robertson. We know of no actions being considered to dismiss Bishara, at least nothing comparable to Israel's dismissal of Robertson, or against Arab MK Mohammad Barakeh for expressing his support for Syria as a means to surrender Jerusalem for an Arab capital.
Police, we are told, may well be checking into all this, but without much rigor. Here in the U.S. some might call it treason.
Where is the anger against these two Arab legislators who surely slurred both the nation and the people of Israel? Or, at least its Jewish people.
If it's fair to give them the benefit of the doubt, how much more credit has Robertson earned, despite his gaffe? Granted, he is a religious extremist, but an extremist who is extreme FOR Israel. Is that a crime? Okay, let's say it is. But what of Bishara and Barakeh - and let's not even mention Ahmed Tibi? They, too, are extremists, and in their own words, extremely OPPOSED to Israel, not extremely for it.
If they get a break, why not Robertson? If they merit no punishment, why Robertson?
Evangelical friends who've been reading me over the years are baffled by Jewish contempt for Zionist Christians. As if I speak for Israel, one asked me today, "Do you really want to lose this crowd?"
I hereby pass along the same question to Israel.
Jack Engelhard's latest novel, the political newsroom thriller "The Bathsheba Deadline" is running as a serial exclusively on Amazon.com for digital download. His international bestselling novel "Indecent Proposal" was turned into a movie starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore. Two more of his books, "Escape From Mount Moriah" and "The Days of the Bitter End" are in development for the movies
