Gary Fitleberg, November 11, 2004

The Rev. Jerry Falwell cited support for Israel as he announced the establishment of a new right-wing Christian group.

Falwell said Tuesday that he wants to set up the Faith and Values Coalition, modeled after his Moral Majority. Falwell launched the Moral Majority in 1979, and it became a powerful political force in the 1980s. "At that time, God burdened my heart to mobilize religious conservatives around a pro-life, pro-family, strong national defense and pro-Israel platform, designed to return America to her Judeo-Christian heritage. And I distinctively feel that burden again," Falwell said Tuesday.

Falwell angered Jews several years ago when he said that a Jewish man alive today is probably the Antichrist. He later said he meant only that the Antichrist must be Jewish because Jesus was a Jew.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg