WASHINGTON, Jan 6: Evangelical broadcaster Pat Robertson on Thursday suggested Ariel Sharon’s stroke was divine retribution for ‘dividing God’s land’ of Israel, igniting his latest trademark controversy.

Pat Robertson seemed to suggest to viewers on his ‘700 Club’ television show that Mr Sharon was being punished for his policies in Gaza and the West Bank.

“The prophet Joel makes it very clear that God has enmity against those who, quote, ‘divide my land.’ God considers this land to be his.

“You read the Bible, he says, ‘This is my land.’ And for any prime minister of Israel who decides he’s going carve it up and give it away, God says, ‘No. This is mine.’”

Pat Robertson said he was ‘sad’ to see Sharon fall sick, and that he was a “very likeable person.”

“I prayed with him personally. But here he is at the point of death. He was dividing God’s land, and I would say woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the EU, the United Nations or the United States of America.”

“God said, ‘This land belongs to me, you better leave it alone.’”

Robertson also appeared to suggest former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin had also paid the ultimate price for talking peace.

“He was tragically assassinated, and it was terrible thing that happened, but nevertheless, he was dead.”

Robertson’s latest blast drew immediate condemnation from Israel’s ambassador to the United States. “Such things are very outrageous. I would expect this only from people like (President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad in Iran ... I wouldn’t expect it from any of our friends.” —AFP