I find myself in a strange predicament this morning as I prepare to write this article. The two most significant stories facing Israel today are in an incredible state of flux. My words written today may by tomorrow be proven prescient or wholly inaccurate or absolutely irrelevant based on the shifting sands of circumstances. If there was ever a time to reach out and steady oneself with the handrails of God’s truth and character, this is it.

Israel’s third round of national elections in eleven months was held March 2 and has, thus far, proved as indecisive as the previous two. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a very good night, it has not proved to be enough to solidify his reelection. His Likud Party received thirty-six seats in the Knesset, three more than his rival Benny Gantz’s Blue and White Party. In Israel’s parliamentary system, election is all about coalitions of parties lining up together. This partnering occurred following the election, and when all was said and done, it appears that Netanyahu has fifty-eight seats aligned with him—three short of what’s needed for a majority and a mandate to form a government.

More bad news came for the current PM when Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the “Israel Our Home” center-right party and a coalition partner of Netanyahu in the past, pulled his backing for a Bibi-led government. “Netanyahu has been in power for too long and has lost the instincts and the motivation to work and do what is necessary [for the country],” Lieberman said.[1] Harsh words, which are potentially devastating for the incumbent’s chances.

As the prime minister works hard to coalesce a majority, all of his election bumping and shuffling is taking place under the slowly descending pendulum blade of indictment. As of now, his trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust is scheduled to begin March 17—the day before this newsletter will be published. It’s anyone’s guess whether it will actually happen. Netanyahu’s lawyers have asked for a delay, but so far a decision has not been made. In an exclamation mark to his removal of support from Netanyahu, Avigdor Lieberman indicated that his party will put forth two proposals to the Knesset—one capping a prime minister’s tenure at two terms, and the second barring a Knesset member who is under indictment from forming a government.[2] Both of these are directed squarely at the four-term, indicted Netanyahu. The prime minister immediately accused both Lieberman and Gantz of trying to steal the election.

If you’re feeling exhausted reading about this continuous governmental upheaval, try living it. It’s time to stop this instability. The dangers of the Iranian threat and radical Islamic terrorism are too great. The new opportunities for forging peace with Gulf Arab States are too critical. Israel cannot be devoting so much time and effort to internal squabbling. If neither Netanyahu nor Gantz can muster enough support to claim victory in the March 2 election, then it is time for a broad-based national unity government. Netanyahu should serve the first two years of the four-year term with Gantz as his foreign minister. Then, at the halfway point, the two should swap positions for the final twenty-four months. We absolutely must not go to a fourth round of elections.

The people of Israel have been patient with their leaders. It’s time for our Knesset to put partisanship aside and unite around what is best for the nation. Working together will send a strong signal to the world that Israel’s government is strong and unified. It will also convey a positive message to its citizens that nation comes before person and peace comes before party.

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[1] Haaretz, “Liberman Says Netanyahu’s Political Career Is Over, He ‘Can No Longer Be PM,’” Haaretz.com, February 21, 2020, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/lieberman-says-netanyahu-s-political-career-is-over-he-can-no-longer-be-pm-1.8561967.

[2] Raoul Wootliff and Jacob Magid, “Liberman May Recommend Gantz for PM, Will Support Bill to Disqualify Netanyahu,” Times of Israel, March 5, 2020, www.timesofisrael.com/liberman-may-recommend-gantz-for-pm-will-support-bill-to-disqualify-netanyahu/.