Israel Election Deadlock Dilemma

20 09 2019
Netanyahu and Gantz

Benny Gantz and Bibi Netanyahu

Let me make this simple. No party has enough seats in the 120 seat Knesset (parliament) to form a government (61 needed). The Gantz Blue & White Party had 33 seats, with Netanyahu’s Likud Party only earning 31 seats. However, when you factor in the other parties, the Left (Gantz) has only 44 total seats. The Right has 55. Therefore, either a unity government is formed combining the two blocs or there will be new elections. Whew!

To be sure, there are two other factors, but they will not change the above facts. The Arab bloc has 13 seats but will not join the government. Avigdor Lieberman’s party has eight seats but refuses to join the Right bloc with Netanyahu. Therefore we are stuck at 44 and 55. Netanyahu tried to pursuade a small left party of six to join the Right, but failed. So, a combination unity or new elections in four or five months. Deadlock Delimma! 

We need to pray for God’s answer. Yehovah has the final say!

Here is analysis from Caroline Glick, my favorite Israeli columnist: I need to point out a basic fact about the election results which the US media, in particular, is missing. Benjamin Netanyahu did not lose and Benny Gantz didn’t win. Gantz cannot form a government under any circumstances. He cannot build a majority coalition.

By forming a unified political bloc of 55 Knesset members with the Likud’s satellite parties, Netanyahu has created a situation where he is the only possible prime minister. Either the Blue and White Party — or one of its factions — joins him, or Amir Peretz and Orly Levy bring the Labor party in, or Israel goes to new elections. Those are the only options. In other words, it’s either going to be Netanyahu or elections. It’s up to Gantz, and Peretz.

I’ll say more. The balance of power is still very much on the Right. The Right has 55 seats. The Left has 44. Liberman is nothing but a Bibi hater. And the Arab parties are so extreme that they cannot be considered for any governing coalition. Netanyahu is the only person capable of forming a government. It remains to be seen if that will happen, but Gantz cannot form a government. And he is slowly coming to terms with this unalterable reality.

We need to pray faithfully that God will bring wisdom and unity in the midst of this dilemma. Only He knows His purpose. Pray that He will reveal to the leaders of Israel the “one heart and one way” of this promise:

Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul. Jeremiah 32:37-41

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and thank God for the beginning of the seasonal rains.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists              (Read more)


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Discerning Israel Sept 17 Elections

16 09 2019

OmarToday I urge prayer and discernment for Israel as they go to the polls. I will add an update in two days with results. But right now we pray for Yehovah God’s purpose be fulfilled. If you want your prayers answered, pray what God has already said He will do. If you pray for a Palestinian state in the God-given territory allotted to Israel, your prayer will not be answered. He is opposed to dividing the land (Joel 3:2). The land-for-peace idea and the two-state idea have both failed miserably. Yet the mantra goes on. Consider this example of “election interference” on CBS Face the Nation Sunday by US Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Ilhan Omar: Netanyahu’s ‘existence’ a problem – Controversial congresswoman says “existence” of PM is “contradictory” to peace, reiterates support for BDS. Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s “existence” a problem in an interview with CBS’ Face the Nation program.

“I certainly hope that the people of Israel make a different decision. And my hope is that they recognize that his existence, his policies, his rhetoric really is contradictory to the peace that we are all hoping that that region receives and receives soon,” Omar told host Margaret Brennan. INN

Aside from the fact that the two-state idea is dead, do you know the Muslim concept of peace? There will be peace when all the world either joins Islam or is defeated by Islam. For Omar to state that Netanyahu’s “existence” is the problem, says all you need to know about her bias. He has been freely elected Prime Minister  multiple times by the democratic will of the Israeli citizens, both Jew and Arab.

The polls open in Israel in about nine hours, about midnight East Coast time. Please pray tonight and all day tomorrow as Israel votes. Pray that the Holy Spirit will move on the voters to choose wisely and hear God’s voice. I do not support every idea of the Israeli government, just as I do not believe every US Administration decision is right. But I am convinced that God is working in both leaders for His purpose. Pray, pray, pray!

Check back here Wednesday for the update.

Wednesday Update: The election gave no clear winner, so a unity of several factions is likely with or without PM Netanyahu. We wait and pray. Here is good analysis from the Editor-in-Chief of Jerusalem Post, Yaachov Katz: Four scenarios I see moving forward:   1. Gantz goes first, fails to form gov’t. Then Bibi tries & public pressure pushes Gantz (w/o Lapid) into Likud’s arms.   2. Bibi goes first & fails. Gantz begins & offers Likud rotation as PM w/o Bibi. Likud cuts off head & joins Gantz.   3. Bibi offers Liberman rotation as PM. Serves 1-2 years, passes immunity-related bills and then Liberman takes over.   4. After 12 weeks, no one succeeds in forming gov’t and we head to round three (ex-PM Olmert predicted next election in February).

 “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, ​​I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of  Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land.” Joel 3:1-2

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for the rainy season to begin.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                  (Read more)

 


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Bye Bye Avigdor Liberman

6 06 2019

Liberman2

“We won’t allow Israel to return to how it was under King David” This statement is from Avigdor Liberman, after blowing up the Israeli election process by refusing a compromise to form a conservative government under Prime Minister Netanyahu. (Excellent analysis of his personal vendetta against Netanyahu in this Caroline Glick column.)

My Prediction: Let me go out on a limb here. Bye-bye Liberman. He will not prosper politically. His party won five seats in the April election, and some polls suggest he will win nine in the September election. However, I believe Netanyahu was selected by God to lead Israel and therefore Liberman is fighting against Yehovah God. Let me explain his most egregious violation.

Liberman is strongly secular and he opposed the religious parties on the military draft controversy. However, with the above declaration rejecting King David, he has stepped away from the favor of God. He accused the orthodox of wanting to establish a theocracy, which may or may not be true. In fact, I have my own reservations about the motives of the religious orthodox parties. Yet the issue is above politics or religion.

King David did not rule over a theocracy. It was a monarchy, led by a fallible man, but who was a man after God’s own heart. We also should seek God’s heart.

But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do. Acts 13:22 NLT

David’s government was not a theocracy. It prospered when he listened to God and it faltered when he did not listen. The point is the amazing liberty that God gave David, a man, to rule as a king, under God. Israel will have no king until the Messiah. But any leader who listens to God’s voice will prosper. King Saul would not listen:

“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command Yehovah your God gave you. Had you kept it, Yehovah would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom must end, for Yehovah has sought out a man after his own heart. Yehovah has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept Yehovah’s command.” 1 Samuel 13:13-14

I have made clear my opinion about Pres. Trump and PM Netanyahu being chosen by God. This does not speak to their character any more than King David. But as long as they manage to walk in God’s purpose for their nation, they will prosper in their governing. That is why I have faith to pray for them. It is so important that they listen to God, and to godly counsel surrounding them both. 

If you doubt my reasoning, just remember the name on the eternal throne from which Jesus, the King of Kings, will rule. It is not Jesus. It is not Yehovah. It is the name of a man: David. The mystery of intimacy with God is the secret key that every believer should desire. Seek first…the Kingdom and His righteousness.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and Yehovah God will give Him the throne of His father David. Luke 1:32

We will never have a better idea than God’s plan. Let us seek His face, His intimacy, so we can walk, and yes govern, the way He chooses for us.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                   (Read more)


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Israel & U.S. Prayer Call

30 05 2019

Pray for President

Israel is going into unprecedented new elections this September, for failure to form a governing coalition. In America, calls for impeachment are rapidly increasing. We join with Franklin Graham’s call for prayer and include Israel in our petition before Yehovah. Both President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are under spiritual attack as I have been saying for months now by the evil spirit of Haman (see here).

Here is Franklin Graham’s call to national prayer:

Along with 250+ Christian leaders, I am asking followers of Christ across our nation to set aside next Sunday, June 2, as a special day of prayer for the President, Donald J. Trump.

President Trump’s enemies continue to try everything to destroy him, his family, and the presidency. In the history of our country, no president has been attacked as he has. I believe the only hope for him, and this nation, is God.

This is a critical time for America. We’re on the edge of a precipice. Time is short. We need to pray for God to intervene. We need to ask God to protect, strengthen, encourage, and guide the President.

We know that God hears and answers prayer. He can soften hearts and change minds. He is all-powerful, and He rules over the affairs of nations. The Bible instructs us to pray for those in authority, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”               1 Timothy 2:2–3

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                 (Read more)


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Our 2019 Purim Prayer!

10 03 2019

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As Doreen and I travel on our Florida ministry tour, a strong prophetic word has emerged at each event. “Pray for the spirit of Haman to be exposed!” This Wednesday at sunset is the beginning of Purim, the Jewish observance of the great victory in the Book of Esther. Haman plotted the total genocide of all Jews in his day. Only the courageous intervention of Esther reversed the plot, after it was exposed.

Today we see the same evil spirit of Haman plotting the overthrow of God’s purpose to bless Israel in political attacks on both President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Both men are being used by Yehovah God in His restoration and favor of Israel. We must pray for them both as never before.

Israel elections are April 9th and could swing Israel to the left, but for God. Media has proclaimed a lie that Netanyahu has been indicted, but he has not. It was announced that there may be enough to indict, but the next legal proceeding is a hearing where he can defend himself with witnesses. Only then will the decision be made whether to indict. The catch is that the hearing cannot take place till after the election. Is it a coincidence that this confusion will taint the election? Pray that Haman’s evil plan will backfire.

Personal Update: We have enjoyed wonderful ministry at each stop with numerous personal ministry appoints, reunions (Happy anniversary Kevin & Roseanne), and four public meetings with one more to go. We managed to enjoy our favorite pizza place on Clearwater Beach and several long beach walks (see sunset photo above). We always love our time at “the Raymond resort” with our dear friends. Thanks to Gulf Coast Church for their hospitality and lodging, and the bonus Lee University Campus Choir concert. The next few day are in Ft. Meyers and Naples (thanks Duane).Please continue your prayer support for our last meeting Thursday night with Fred & Tracy Norris in Charleston, SC.

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Time to wake up, stand up, and speak up for Israel and the purpose of God! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                 (Read more)

 


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