Israel to form an emergency government

We are living through a CRAZY time right now. As I write this, Israel, Italy, and Wuhan, China, are still in full quarantine because of the coronavirus, and other countries are on the verge of declaring this as well.

We are still in the "no one knows what will happen" phase. The death, loss, and fear are horrifying. I'm trying really hard not to think about how I was supposed to fly to Israel tomorrow. I don't know about you, but:

Anyone with me?

I'm not trying to make light of the pain mentioned above. But I will say that the creativity, innovation, gratitude, and generosity I've witnessed (big and small, interpersonal and online) during this time has been so life-giving. And from a storyteller's perspective, this season is fascinating. Still the unknowns and limbo of right now are SO HARD.

photo and article from Washington Post here

Last week, I saw an interesting announcement concerning the elections in Israel from March 2. In light of what's been going on (and that was the 3rd election for a Prime Minister), Israel has elected to form an emergency government called the "Corona Government". Benjamin Netanyahu will remain the prime minister for at least 18 months. His opponent, Benny Gantz, will serve as Parliament Speaker, with the possibility of being Prime Minister after this time period (depending on the outcome of the charges brought against Netanyahu).

So, now that this has been decided, it will be interesting to see what will happen!

April 2020 trip to Israel is cancelled

Oh, Friends...

To use a Biblical metaphor... the writing has been on the wall for a while, but I have been holding against all hope that somehow I'd still be able to go to Israel in April.

Now, the fact that I was to land in Tel Aviv on April 1 feels like sick irony (April Fool's Day) instead of a cool turn of events (it being 3 years to the day since I left in 2017).

I'm speaking, of course, of what's going on with the coronavirus, or 'Rona. As I write this, we have no idea what all is going to happen. We are watching countries close their borders and order their citizens in strict quarantines (Italy and China). At this point, Israel has said that anyone coming needs to immediately go into a 14 day quarantine... and my trip was only for 13 days. In fact, my flight with El Al Airlines was cancelled. (Edit: March 20, 2020 - As of today, Israel is having a mandatory 7-day quarantine for all citizens. They can only leave their homes to go to the store or for medical care).

This is obviously a big deal, and the loss of life is not insignificant. So much is being impacted by this pandemic that it is both fascinating and terrifying (at times)—economy, trade, industry, etc... not to mention day-to-day life. So, I'm not minimizing that at all. But at the moment, I honestly feel sick at heart.

To say this is a great disappointment is not an exaggeration. Ever since I learned I'd be going back to Israel for this short trip, I've been dreaming of each moment... planning new (to me) places to explore and things to learn. I've even started learning Hebrew! I've envisioned attending a sunrise service at the Garden Tomb with thousands of Christians from around the world, wade through Hezekiah's Tunnels, climb David's Tower, attend the Wailing Wall on Passover... and of course, explore Petra. Even though I pray I can go back in the future, it isn't the same.

We're all facing disappointment with something right now, I know (as well as many different emotions). This is one of mine... definitely the biggest one. What Solomon said in Proverbs 13:12 is so true:

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

Israel 2020 Elections: Results

Wow!

Last week was the 3rd attempt at voting in a Prime Minister in Israel. As of this moment, there is no clear winner. The current PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, won the popular election, but he didn't get the 61 seats needed for a majority in the Knesset. He's only short 3, so now he has some work to do.

But his primary opponent, Benny Gantz, is working to collect the same seats out of the 62 remaining that are up for grabs. If he can do this, then he will be the Prime Minister.

Like I said last week, I don't really understand it all. But Amir Tsarfati with Behold Israel has been able to break it down for me in a clear way, so if you're interested, check out his Middle East Update here:

Israel 2020 Election Day

Today is a big day in Israel!

photo from Jerusalem post

Today is a big election in Israel. It's the 3rd attempt at electing a Prime Minister. The current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who is a right-wing leader, is running again. Since Israel is a parliamentary democracy, he needs to secure 61 seats for a majority of the Knesset (this happens through votes) in order to form a government.

I really don't understand it all, as far as the process of elections and forming a government, but from what I understand, it isn't super likely that he'll be re-elected.

So, it'll be really interesting to see what happens! Check back here next week for more on the Israel 2020 elections!