Transcript:

Introduction:

This month Jerry Falwell inflamed many Americans with his anti-Islamic remarks on nationwide television. John Dirlik is a Canadian writer for the "Washington Report on Middle East Affairs". On Commentary he says don't dismiss Falwell. He and his ilk are dangerous.

John Dirlik:

It was perhaps only a matter of time before a leading preacher would announce on American prime time television that "Mohammed was a terrorist".

Although Rev. Jerry Falwell was denounced for his imbecilic remark on 60 Minutes by the US Council of Churches, his statement was sadly not inconsistent with the ideology of his conservative Christian movement. Falwell had already declared that the Moslem faith teaches hate and earlier this year, Reverend Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, described Islam as a "very wicked" and "violent religion".

This latest string of slurs could be dismissed as the rantings of a lunatic fringe group, if they were not representative of a powerful constituency with receptive ears in the White House.

In June, the Reverend Jerry Vines told the Southern Baptist Convention that Islam's founder was a "demon-possessed pedophile". That did not prevent President Bush from addressing the Convention the very next day and praising its work.

Earlier this month the Christian Coalition - which is a reincarnation of the Moral Majority movement founded by Falwell - held a massive pro-Israel rally in Washington. According to CNN, they were rewarded by Bush in a videotaped message promising "an administration that would advocate the group's key agenda."

The agenda of the Christian Coalition, not surprisingly, consists of an attack on Iraq without cumbersome United Nation's approval. It also supports Israel's most extremist elements, and vehemently opposes the creation of a Palestinian state.

With Republican Congressman and Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas calling for the expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank on the popular NBC Chris Matthews show, the debate framing Middle East policy has taken on frightening proportions.

This disturbing trend reflects a current climate in Israel, where ethnic cleansing is euphemistically referred to as "transfer", and openly espoused by some members of Ariel Sharon's government.

The growth of the far right both in America and in Israel is reason enough for concern. Their joining together in a marriage of convenience is even more troubling, because it signals a strategic alliance with awesome tools at their disposal.

Heavily supported by influential preachers who wave Israeli flags in Washington, Ariel Sharon need not fear any interruption in the $10 million dollars a day he receives from US taxpayers, money that he needs to pay for his expensive subjugation of Palestinians. And for Christian jihadists in America who are aching to wage a new crusade in the Middle East, having as an ally the mightiest military machine in the region is a tactical match made in heaven.

The problem is that if they get their way, the result will very likely be hell, with disastrous and far-reaching consequences.

For commentary, I'm John Dirlik in Montreal.