The new Israel government

On Wednesday, 6 May 2015 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu managed to form the new coalition government with a one seat majority after signing a deal with the Bayit Yehudi party of Naftali Bennett. The last minute decision by Avigdor Liberman to resign as Minister of Foreign Affairs and leading his party to join the opposition dealt Netanyahu a devastating blow.

Liberman’s announcement forced Netanyahu to form a coalition with ultra-orthodox parties which will make it a very costly government. Many media analysts in Israel is of the opinion that such a coalition will not last very long. On Friday Benyamin Netanyahu indicated that he will work towards a broader based coalition before the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, 13 May 2015.

Dov Lipman, an MK (member of Israeli Parliament, the Knesset) for the Yesh Atid party in the last Knesset, described the new government as a sad week for Israel and elaborates: “Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s new ultra-orthodox-led government is on course to cause significant damage to the internal soul of Israel.”

With the raging conflicts in the neighbouring countries, Israel is in need of a strong government and we need to pray that wisdom will prevail in the days ahead. We know that Israel is in good hands when they put their trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.