BIG NEWS from Israel! (I'm going in July!)

Last week was a BIG week in Israel!

First, Naftali Bennett was officially sworn in as the new Prime Minister, after Netanyahu's historic 12-years of service. 

PM Bennett represents a coalition government, made up of parties from left, right, and center. It's the first of its kind to be in power. He will hold the PM position for 2 years and 3 months, and then Yair Lapid will be PM for the same amount of time.

Second, Gaza announced a new Prime Minister as well. Their new premier is Issam al-Da'alis, and he was also sworn in on Sunday.

Third, on June 15, Israel officially lifted all mask mandates for both inside and outside. Now, the only people who have to wear them are either traveling on planes, on their way to quarantine, or people in long-term care facilities.

But, the biggest news for me, was that ISRAEL IS OPENING TO FOREIGN TOURISTS JULY 1!!!!

Which brings me to MY big news- I'm going to Israel! As of the date I'm writing this post, I'm still looking at tickets, but I know it will happen sometime next month! Remember how my trip for April 2020 was cancelled? I'm so thankful that it has worked out for this year, and I cannot wait to get there and explore this incredible, amazing Land and culture!

A New Prime Minister in Israel?

It's funny how some things take a long time to happen, and then suddenly come quickly!

Last week, a coalition for a new Israeli government was announced. As you can see from the image above, which was shared by Behold Israel's Amir Tsarfati on Telegram and in his Middle East Update last week, this coalition seems to be literally everyone BUT the Prime Minister of the last 12 years, Benjamin Netanyahu.

In order for someone to be declared PM, they need to have 61 seats out of 120 in the Knesset. In this coalition are groups from the progressive left all the way to ultra-conservative right.

The PM position will be shared by the 2 men pictured above. First, Naftali Bennett, who only claimed 6 seats, and then Yair Lapid for the final part of the term. They will be sworn in on June 13, 2021. 

Lapid reportedly told the president, “I commit to you, Mr. President, that this government will work to serve all the citizens of Israel including those who aren’t members of it, will respect those who oppose it, and do everything in its power to unite all parts of Israeli society.”

A new Prime Minister after 12 years... a new result after 4 elections in the past 2 years and didn't yield a clear winner. This is a big deal! The world will definitely be watching. 

After the Ceasefire: What is really going on in Israel

Happy Memorial Day to those of us in the States!

I heard an INCREDIBLE podcast yesterday between Susie Larson and Tom & Joann Doyle of Uncharted Ministries about the impact of the recent conflict in the Middle East. 

If you like podcasts, I highly recommend listening to this! I think they did a great job of highlighting the tension and impact in a balanced and Biblical way, showing us how believers should pray and support Israel and all peace-loving people. I'm sharing this here because the international media basically spent weeks saying that Israel attacked Gaza without provocation, and has spread so many lies. This podcast refutes those lies (and there is evidence for the truth). I like to listen to podcasts while cooking or driving long distances, so if you are like me and do that too, please take time to listen!

Click HERE to listen on Apple podcasts, HERE for Google Play, HERE for Spotify, and HERE for audible!

Also, there is unsourced tv claim that Naftali Bennet and Yesh Atid have reached a deal to create a coalition and oust Prime Minister Netanyahu from his position:

This would be a deal between Israel's right-wing party and center-left. If it is true, the two men will share the position, with Naftali Bennet being PM until 2023 and Yair Lapid until 2025. In a telegram message on Saturday, Behold Israel's Amir Tsarfati said, "Bennet, only having 6 seats in the parliament, promised until the day of the elections to his voters that he would never sit with or under Lapid, nor would he ask to be PM if he got less than 10 seats. He broke 2 promises. If these reports are accurate, Benjamin Netanyahu's term as PM is over".

We'll see in the next few days if this will happen... Bennet would need to be signed in within the next 10 days.