This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/14/robert-jeffress-pastor-us-embassy-embassy-donald-trump-mitt-romney
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| US pastor to deliver prayer at embassy opening 'a religious bigot' – Mitt Romney | US pastor to deliver prayer at embassy opening 'a religious bigot' – Mitt Romney |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The former Republican presidential candidate and current Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney has denounced the choice of a “religious bigot” who has said all Jews will go to hell to deliver the blessing at the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on Monday. | The former Republican presidential candidate and current Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney has denounced the choice of a “religious bigot” who has said all Jews will go to hell to deliver the blessing at the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on Monday. |
| Pastor Robert Jeffress, leader of a Dallas-area Baptist church and a spiritual adviser to Donald Trump, is scheduled to deliver a blessing at the opening of the relocated embassy, which Trump moved from Tel Aviv. | Pastor Robert Jeffress, leader of a Dallas-area Baptist church and a spiritual adviser to Donald Trump, is scheduled to deliver a blessing at the opening of the relocated embassy, which Trump moved from Tel Aviv. |
| Jeffress has drawn criticism for calling Islam and Mormonism “heresy from the pit of hell” and saying Jews “can’t be saved”. As reported by dallasnews.com, he also said Islam is “a religion that promotes paedophilia”. | Jeffress has drawn criticism for calling Islam and Mormonism “heresy from the pit of hell” and saying Jews “can’t be saved”. As reported by dallasnews.com, he also said Islam is “a religion that promotes paedophilia”. |
| Romney, a Mormon, wrote on Twitter: “Robert Jeffress says ‘you can’t be saved by being a Jew’ and ‘Mormonism is a heresy from the pit of hell’. He has said the same about Islam. | |
| “Such a religious bigot should not be giving the prayer that opens the United States embassy in Jerusalem.” | “Such a religious bigot should not be giving the prayer that opens the United States embassy in Jerusalem.” |
| Trump considered Romney to be his first secretary of state. Since then, Romney has been a consistent and strong critic of Trump’s behaviour in office. | Trump considered Romney to be his first secretary of state. Since then, Romney has been a consistent and strong critic of Trump’s behaviour in office. |
| Jeffress responded to Romney’s tweet, writing: “Historic Christianity has taught for 2,000 years that salvation is through faith in Christ alone. The fact that I, along with tens of millions of evangelical Christians around the world, continue to espouse that belief, is neither bigoted nor newsworthy.” | Jeffress responded to Romney’s tweet, writing: “Historic Christianity has taught for 2,000 years that salvation is through faith in Christ alone. The fact that I, along with tens of millions of evangelical Christians around the world, continue to espouse that belief, is neither bigoted nor newsworthy.” |
| Trump tweeted about the embassy opening on Monday morning. “US embassy opening in Jerusalem will be covered live on [Fox News] & [Fox Business],” he wrote, advertising his favoured TV network. “Lead up to 9am (eastern) event has already begun. A great day for Israel!” | Trump tweeted about the embassy opening on Monday morning. “US embassy opening in Jerusalem will be covered live on [Fox News] & [Fox Business],” he wrote, advertising his favoured TV network. “Lead up to 9am (eastern) event has already begun. A great day for Israel!” |
| Trump was scheduled to address the ceremony in Jerusalem by video link. His daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, both senior White House aides, were among the American delegation in the city. | Trump was scheduled to address the ceremony in Jerusalem by video link. His daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, both senior White House aides, were among the American delegation in the city. |
| In an Instagram post accompanying a picture taken at the Western Wall, Ivanka Trump wrote: “We will pray for the boundless potential of the future of the US-Israel alliance, and we will pray for peace.” | In an Instagram post accompanying a picture taken at the Western Wall, Ivanka Trump wrote: “We will pray for the boundless potential of the future of the US-Israel alliance, and we will pray for peace.” |
| Trump’s decision to move the embassy, however, has prompted warnings of violence and destabilisation. | Trump’s decision to move the embassy, however, has prompted warnings of violence and destabilisation. |
| On Monday in Gaza, health officials who spoke to Haaretz said 37 Palestinians were killed when Israeli forces opened fire at protesters rallying against the embassy opening. Officials who spoke to Reuters said at least 900 were injured, about 450 by live bullets. | On Monday in Gaza, health officials who spoke to Haaretz said 37 Palestinians were killed when Israeli forces opened fire at protesters rallying against the embassy opening. Officials who spoke to Reuters said at least 900 were injured, about 450 by live bullets. |
| In a video issued on the eve of ceremonies in Jerusalem, the al-Qaida leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, said America’s decision was evidence that negotiations and “appeasement” have failed Palestinians. He urged Muslims carry out jihad against the US. | |
| Trump later tweeted: “Big day for Israel. Congratulations!” | |
| Religion | Religion |
| Israel | Israel |
| Texas | Texas |
| Donald Trump | Donald Trump |
| Mitt Romney | Mitt Romney |
| Middle East and North Africa | Middle East and North Africa |
| news | |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |