Robertson draws a rebuke

WASHINGTON -- The White House sharply criticized Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson yesterday for suggesting that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine punishment for ''dividing God's land."

''Those comments are wholly inappropriate and offensive and really don't have a place in this or any other debate," spokesman Trent Duffy said as President Bush traveled for a speech.

Robertson made his comments about Israel and Sharon on his television program, ''The 700 Club." He said, ''God considers this land to be his. You read the Bible and he says 'This is my land,' and for any prime minister of Israel who decides he is going to carve it up and give it away, God says, 'No, this is mine.' "