Michele Bachmann calls for efforts to convert Jews to Christianity

Former U.S. presidential candidate Michele Bachmann has called for renewed efforts to convert “the Jews” to Christianity to “share Jesus Christ”.

The Minnesota congresswoman, who made the comments while touring Israel last week with a right-wing radio host, also implied that the violence in Israel at the moment was because Jesus was “coming soon”.

“We recognise the shortness of the hour,” she said. “That’s why we want to be faithful in these days and do what it is that the Holy Spirit is speaking to each one of us, to be faithful in the Kingdom and to help bring in as many as we can – even among the Jews – share Jesus Christ with everyone that we possibly can because he’s coming soon.”

Bachmann, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, was in conversation with Tony Perkins, president of the conservative group Family Research Council, and suggested the violence was part of God’s plan.

“We’re seeing events speeding up so quickly right now, and we see how relevant the Bible is, and we’re reading our newspaper, at the same time we’re learning about these biblical events, and it’s literally day by day by day, we’re seeing the fulfillment of scripture right in front of our eyes, even while we’re on the ground.”

Bachmann is no stranger to controversy, and most recently drew attention by criticising “American Jews” for endangering Israel by backing President Barack Obama’s foreign policies.