Guess Pat Robertson is finding out that attacking a world leader can be bad for business. Last week Robertson declared that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had a stroke because God is angry with him (see earlier post: “Robertson: Leave God’s Judgment in God’s Handsâ€). Now the Israeli government is pulling out of a deal in which Robertson would have built a tourist attraction/theme park near the Sea of Galilee.
Say what? That’s right. Apparently Robertson has been developing Galilee World (friends, really, I’m not making this up) – which would include a park, auditorium, amphitheaters, and, of course, a TV studio. Israel was going to donate the land and infrastructure (Israel is more than happy to pave the way for U.S. tourists). Location of the proposed Galilee World is northeast of the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional location of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
But now the Israeli government says no dice – at least not with Robertson. Tourism Ministry spokesman Ido Hartuv said his government is furious with Robertson after his remark about Sharon. The BBC quotes Hartuv as saying:
“We were due to sign a contract in the near future with Mr. Robertson … We, as the State of Israel, cannot accept what he said, and we will not do any business with him or with anyone else who agrees with his view.â€
If that sends your heart sinking, don’t worry. Galilee World may still become a reality. Hartuv added,
“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.â€
Interested? For $50 million (and a promise not to declare that God hates Israel’s prime minister) Galilee World can be yours.
