Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party appears a seat short of gaining a majority, which sends the governing apparatus in Israel into huge compromises to form a government. The Blue and White Party led by Benny Gantz has gained more seats than Likud. So the two largest parties need to cut deals with the smaller parties in order to form a government. It appears that Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the secular nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu Party, is the king-maker as his party’s votes are essential in tipping the balance between Likud and Blue and White. Lieberman favors a national unity government where both parties share or alternate the prime minister position.

In the shadows, however, is the Arab bloc, called the Joint List of Arab parties, which would be against Netanyahu and Likud, probably more friendly to Blue and White, and definitely an upcoming force. AP reports, “The joint list of Arab parties, who have never sat in an Israeli government, also finished strong, with results indicating they had earned 13 seats to become the third-largest party in parliament. Should a unity government be formed, its leader Ayman Odeh, would become the country’s next opposition leader, an official state position that would grant him an audience with visiting dignitaries, a state-funded bodyguard, monthly consultations with the prime minister and a platform to rebut his speeches in parliament.”

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Already Odeh, a self-described socialist, is positioning as the opposition. Last week, he said he would consider entering a national unity government with Blue and White if his “demands” were met. The list of demands included: Freeze the demolition of privately owned buildings in Yehuda and Shomron; Repealing the Kamenetz Law that carries increased punishment for building offenses; The construction of a city for the Arab population; Collecting weapons from the public; Building a public hospital in an Arab city; Resumptions of negotiations with the PA (Palestinian Authority); Abolition of the Nationality Law, which allows permanent Arab residency, but not citizenship (as only Jews by descent or birth are citizens).

TheYeshivaWorld.com reports that Blue and White rejected Odeh’s demands, which prompted Odeh to throw in on the aggressive political dialogue. Odeh said Sunday that if Gantz forms a coalition government, Odeh will serve as head of the opposition. Odeh rejected statements by Lieberman, who accuses him of cooperating with Netanyahu. Odeh said “I am as far from Netanyahu as one can be. Bibi wants to oust me from Knesset. Gantz doesn’t want Arabs in the coalition. Who is serving Netanyahu, me or Gantz?.The left-wing Zionists do not understand our weight. He is a racist. Where is Gantz’s political plan. I haven’t heard it.” You can see where this is headed long-term. As is written in Psalm 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”

(Used with permission. By Bill Wilson, The Daily Jot.)

Join IFA in praying for Israel at this time:

1. We pray that Avigdor Lieberman and the Yisrael Beiteinu Party would choose a path to elevate conservative, biblical values.

2. We pray that the Arab bloc and its leader, Ayman Odeh, would not be put in a position of power and further his socialist ideals.

3.  We pray that the leaders, Netanyahu, Gantz, and Lieberman, would be able to work together to produce a government that supports God’s heart for Israel.