With friends like these...

When ever life gets you down, just remember that it could be worse: Pat Robertson could be your friend. From American Progress:

Hopefully Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon doesn't have more friends like television evangelist Pat Robertson. Robertson -- who considers Sharon his "good friend" -- yesterday said on his Christian Broadcasting Network that Sharon's stroke was divine punishment for "dividing God's land": "The prophet Joel makes it very clear that God has enmity against those who, quote, 'divide my land.' ... He [Sharon] 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 United States of America.

UPDATE:

From AP:

Israel has suspended contact with evangelist Pat Robertson for suggesting Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine punishment for withdrawing from the Gaza Strip.

The controversy has cast doubt on plans for a Christian tourism center that would showcase the growing flow of money and influence from U.S. church groups.

...

Israeli leaders see the Christian allies as tireless lobbyists in Washington and elsewhere. The evangelicals also funnel millions of dollars each year to [illegal] Jewish settlers in the West Bank and — before last year's pullout — the Gaza Strip.