Pro-Israel lobby AIPAC mourn death of fiery Christian televangelist Pat Robertson despite past 'antisemitic comments'

Pat Robertson, the soft-spoken televangelist who helped make America's Christians a powerful political force while demonising liberals, feminists, and gays as sinners, died Thursday at the age of 93, his organisation announced.

The longtime host of "The 700 Club" on his huge Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and one-time presidential candidate died at his home in Virginia Beach, according to a network statement.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has said they "mourn the passing of Pat Robertson, who was a great friend of Israel and a pioneer in the modern Christian Zionist movement".

This is despite past criticism of Robertson for alleged antisemitic comments, such as claiming Jews spend their weekends polishing diamonds.

The preacher's TV network, CBN, also praised Robertson saying he promoted "a worldview that believes in the inerrancy of the Bible".

"Today, his influence and legacy crisscross interests and industries that have broken barriers for countless Christian leaders and laypeople."

Broadcasting "The 700 Club" daily since 1966, the avuncular Robertson promoted a literal belief in "end of times" prophecies of the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel that forecast the destruction of the world to become a Christian paradise.

He was widely criticised for empowering the Christian right in the US, seeing a rightwards shift in politics during the 1980s.

Many of the Evangelical right are supporters of Israel and pushed for stronger and uncompromising relations with the country.

Wires contributed to this story.