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. 

What is going on in Israel?

Israel has filled the news the last couple of days, so this is a special post about what is going on. 

First of all, current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unable to form a unity government within a month's time. Now, Yair Lapid, a member of the centrist party, Yesh Atid, has been given the mandate to try to form one over the next 28 days. If he is unable to do so, the Knesset will try to do so. If this fails, then Israel will have its 5th election in 2 years in August. 

The headlines that have filled our screens, however, are of unrest in Israel. There's so much going on with this situation that instead of trying to write it out here, I'm sharing a Middle East Update from Behold Israel's Amir Tsarfati. This was streamed live earlier today, May 12, 2021, and has a clear explanation of the situation, gives thorough background/context, and even explores the prophetic significance of what is going on. 

Click on the link above or on the image to watch it on youtube!

The results of the 2021 elections

 So, I meant to post this blog last week, but I couldn't... because the results are still inconclusive. 

As of right now, there is no clear winner of Israel's 4th election in 2 years. In order for seated Prime Minister Netanyahu's party to win, he needs a majority of 61 out of 120 seats in Parliament. Right now, he's only at 52. All votes have been counted, and at this point, if he can't convince 9 more seats to come over to join him, there is no winner. Which means... Israel could have another election in August 2021. 

On a Telegram message on March 24, Behold Israel's Amir Tsarfati said something interesting: 

What do you think about the result of Israel's 2021 elections? What do you think will happen? It will be interesting to watch!

*article from I24 news

Another election?

Israel will have its 4th election in 2 years next week. 

Just 12 months after the elections in 2020, after which a unity government was formed, Israel is heading back to the polls. After personally living through a presidential election in Argentina in 2019, then the 2020 election (and January 5 GA run-off) in the States, the word "election" makes me tired. And maybe triggers some PTSD. I can only imagine what it's like to head back earlier than planned—multiple times! 

Will Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be re-elected? Or will his rival, Benny Gantz, win? Or someone else entirely?

We'll be watching to see what happens on Tuesday, March 23! Check back next week for more details on who won and what that means for Israel!

Happy New Year! And the latest news from Israel!

Happy New Year!

We celebrated it by getting the all-clear from the vet for 7-month-old Annie to run and jump again, as she was spayed the week before Christmas. I'm not sure who is more relieved—her to be able to play freely, or us, who don't have to deal with her pent-up energy!

(this photo is from the day before her surgery, but it definitely captures her essence as #poodletough)

A lot happened in Israel in the last 2 weeks! First of all, they entered into their 3rd national lockdown of the year. This one is supposed to only last for 2 weeks, but could be extended to a month if the covid-19 rate doesn't lower enough.

But before that, they began vaccinations, and as of the writing of this, have vaccinated more people per capita than any other nation. They plan to start vaccinating the general population by this week, and Prime Minister Netanyahu says Israel could be the first country to come out of the Covid-19 crisis. There is hope of herd immunity by Seder night (Passover) 2021.

One other HUGE thing has happened, pictured in the first news image above. The emergency coalition government formed in 2020 was unable to pass a budget at the end of the year, triggering their 4th election in 2 years, which will happen on March 23.

Wow! That's a lot. What do you think of this latest news? Let me know in the comments below!

Celebrations in Israel this week

This is a big week in Israel!

Last week, the ongoing struggle from the March 2 election finally came to an end, resulting in a joint emergency government. Incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in for 18 months,  while Benny Gantz will serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister. After 18 months, Benny Gantz will follow him for another 18 months.

But this coming week is just as important.

Tomorrow, April 27, starts Yom HaZikaron, or Memorial Day for Israel, a day to remember fallen soldiers, veterans, and those killed by terrorist acts throughout Israel's history.

Then, sundown on Tuesday begins Yom Ha'Atzmaut, the 72nd Independence Day for the nation of Israel. This is the day that Israel declared their independence in 1948, which became official on May 14, 1948.

*photo from here*

From a new government to a remembrance of the fallen to celebrating the 72nd anniversary of their independence—all during a pandemic—is a big deal!

Congratulations, Israel!

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!

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!