The Israeli Government Makeover
In the aftermath of Operation Guardian of the Walls and the ceasefire reached with Hamas two weeks ago, Israel is now able to shift its focus to establishing more permanent political systems. There has been much talk about the plans for the premiership, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held the title for more than a decade. Many leaders of Israeli factions are ready to depose him and are willing to join with their rivals to do so.
Yamina leader Naftali Bennett and Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid are wrapping up an agreement to form a coalition government. In this setup, Bennett would serve as prime minister until September 2023, then Lapid would follow him and serve until the end of the term in November 2025. Lapid has until 11:59 tonight to tell President Reuven Rivlin and Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin he can form this government, or the mandate will return to the Knesset for any member of the Knesset (MK) to build a coalition with the support of 61 MKs, according to The Jerusalem Post.
In addition, Isaac Herzog, son of Israel’s sixth president, Chaim Herzog, has been elected Israel’s 11th president. He will take over the presidential seat once President Rivlin’s term ends on July 9. He defeated Miriam Peretz, an Israel Prize-winning educator who would have been Israel’s first female president had she been victorious. Herzog received 87 votes to Peretz’s 27, the largest presidential victory in Israel’s history.
It’s the dawn of a new political age in Israel. We’re potentially looking at a complete overhaul of the major players in Israel’s government. Rivlin has been the president since 2014, and Netanyahu has held office since 2009, so it has been some time since the nation has seen a government shakeup. Though things could still change in the campaign for the premiership, some sort of change is imminent, one that could lead Israel into a new era. Let’s pray that these changes benefit Israel in many ways, with the most important aspect being spiritual prosperity.
