Israel’s political future is suddenly in doubt, with former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot drawing more support than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form the country’s next government.

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From CBN:

After two days of consultations, Former IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot has the backing of 67 lawmakers, compared with just 46 for Netanyahu, despite the first-place finish of Netanyahu’s Likud Party.

The surprise support is coming from two Arab parties, giving Eisenkot the edge. However, there is no guarantee he can build a coalition.

Herzog noted, “The results of the consultations may appear clear, but the authority vested in me by law is to determine who has the ability to form a government, and that is not entirely clear, given the mutual vetoes between the blocs and within the blocs themselves. I will try to determine this directly and quickly, in personal talks with some of the party leaders.”

President Isaac Herzog says he will announce on Sunday who gets the first chance to form a government. The divisions behind that decision were on display outside the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, where competing protests broke out. Some demonstrators demanded a broad Zionist government, while others called for a coalition of Arab and Jewish parties. One protester, Sivan Perel, urged leaders to form a government that understands Israel is “the only state for the Jews.”

The political uncertainty comes as Israel’s relationship with its closest ally shifts. Herzog admitted that President Trump’s plan to end American military aid struck him like a bolt of lightning. Trump announced on Election Day that the U.S. will stop providing about $4 billion a year in military aid to Israel by the end of 2026, saying Netanyahu had approached him about the idea and that Israel will shift to buying American weapons instead. The Wall Street Journal reports that Israel has $10 billion in outstanding American weapons orders beyond existing aid commitments, which could complicate a quick cutoff.

Tensions with Iran are also rising again. President Trump renewed threats of military action, insisting Tehran cannot pursue its nuclear program without American approval. “I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I’ll have to,” he said. In Tehran, regime supporters burned a giant poster of Trump, Netanyahu, Vice President JD Vance, and U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff. On Thursday, a KLM flight bound for Tel Aviv was diverted to Bucharest, Romania, after a bomb threat, as similar threats disrupted dozens of European flights.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). Let’s pray that God would guide President Herzog’s decision on Sunday, and that Israel would end up with a government that will defend the Jewish state and stand firm against those who seek its destruction. Let’s pray that the alliance between the United States and Israel would remain strong through these changes. And finally, let’s pray for godly leadership in Israel that will protect the precious Jewish people living there!

How are you praying for Israel as its next government takes shape? Share your prayers and scriptures in the comments.

(Excerpt from CBN. Photo Credit: DEBBIE HILL / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)