“And He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding (Dan. 2:21)
“But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another (Ps. 75:7)
Dear Intercessors for Israel:
Greetings from Jerusalem. The Attorney General of Israel, in a long awaited announcement, publicly revealed that he is indicting PM Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. This stunning declaration by AG Avichal Mandelblit accuses PM Netanyahu of accepting financial gifts of 1 million NIS ($280,000) from wealthy benefactors in return for tax relief (Case 1000), secretly allowing the owner of Israel’s newspaper Yedioth Aharonot to promote him with positive reporting while pressuring other competitors to do the same (Case 2000) and giving insider information to Shaul Elovitch, the controlling shareholder of Israel’s largest telecommunication giant: Bezeq (Case 4000)
These charges make Netanyahu, the first prime minister in Israeli history to be indicted while still in office. This shocking decision to indict could alter the course of negotiations over forming a new government and who will be the next prime minister. Mandelblit will now ask the Knesset to waive Netanyahu’s immunity, a process that can take 30 days.
“I will not step down”
PM Netanyahu announced tonight that “I will not step down but continue to lead the country.” The Prime Minister in a State address also declared: “Today, we see an attempt to make a government coup against the Prime Minister with false allegations and in the process of tainted and biased investigations. I have given my life for the State. I fought for it and was wounded for it.” (www.israelnationalnews.com)
Likud member and current Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that he will be demanding new Likud leadership primaries. He also added that he thinks he should be the next Likud chairman because he’ll “ be able to form a government and unite Israel.” Politicians from the left and center parties are also calling for Netanyahu to step down (www.israelnationalnews.com ) Earlier this week, Benny Gantz, the head of the Blue and White party turned in his mandate to form a new government. He was unable to assemble a majority in the Knesset and his failure to do so, may force Israel into a 3rd round of elections.
Knesset could choose
Under Israel’s basic law, the Knesset could choose a new candidate to lead the next government. This ruling body has 21 days to come together and find a leader who could unite a majority of the divisive parties into a ruling coalition. During this period, any Knesset member — including Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — will be eligible to collect the signatures of at least 61 of the 120 MKs recommending that he or she form a government.
If an MK does manage to find the support of a majority of Knesset members, he or she will be given 14 days to try and form a coalition. But if not enough of those MKs are willing to stick with their recommended candidate, and the nominee fails to build a government, then elections will be called, with the date likely being some time in March 2020.
That process was avoided last May when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was tasked with forming a government after the elections in April, used the final hours of his mandate to dissolve the Knesset, depriving Gantz and potentially other MKs of the opportunity to try where he had failed. (www.timesofisrael.com) 5 November 22, 2019 Please pray this week for Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Pray for Israel and its lack of government. Pray that a functioning government be formed. Right now governmental ministers from the PM’s past government are serving in interim positions.
Pray for the Knesset and its members as they seek to form a government. Pray the right candidate can form a coalition otherwise new elections will be held.
Israeli’s right to build in Judea and Samaria recognized
Earlier this week, the Trump Administration recognized Israel’s right to establish cities in Judea and Samaria. The UN, the EU, and a host of other nations claim that the so called “West Bank” is illegally settled by Israel and is “occupied Palestinian Land.” PM Netanyahu publicly thanked President Trump and Secretary Pompo for correcting this “historical injustice,” as well as recognizing the Golan Heights and in the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. Netanyahu declared: “We are not in a foreign country, this has been our homeland for over 3000 years. The reason why we are called ‘Jews’, because we came from here, from Judea. It does not prevent negotiations, on the contrary-It promotes peace because it is impossible to build true peace based on lies.” (www.israelnationalnews.com )
New Threats from Gaza and Syria
Last week, Israel was involved in another brief “weekend war” with Islamic Jihad terrorists operating out of the Gaza Strip. Over 450 rockets and mortars were fired into southern Israel, forcing closure of schools, public transportation and driving citizens into their bomb shelters. Islamic Jihad announced that this warfare was in retaliation for the assassination of one of its leaders by the IDF. Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system destroyed 90% of these incoming rockets. Finally after 48 hours of intense warfare, Egypt brokered a cease fire. Yet Israelis know that these rocket attacks can resume at any moment. During this warfare, the IAF destroyed multiple sites and terrorist positions. Islamic Jihad terrorists still managed to launch into Israel a new and more powerful missile containing a 300-kilogram (660 lbs.) warhead. This missile exploded in a field, creating a crater some 52 feet wide and 6 feet deep. The development of this missile was made possible by Iranian engineers working with Islamic Jihad terrorists. The IDF was surprised by this new advance in Islamic Jihad’s and Hamas’ terror weapons and is working to find, halt and destroy their production and storage sites, although the current cease fire has temporarily stopped these efforts. Pray these centers of evil can be located and destroyed before they harm Israelis. (www.timesofisrael.com)
This past week also found Syria launching four rockets into Northern Israel. Again Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted and destroyed these missiles. Israel and Russia have been attacking sites in Syria. Last week Israel destroyed the central headquarters of Iran’s Al-Quds force in Syria. News sources there reported numerous fatalities including Iranian military personal. Iran is now threatening to retaliate against Israel for this attack.
Please pray Psalm 121 over Israel. The God who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. May He continue to guard Israel against her enemies.
House of Peace We have been blessed in the past few week with many “saints of the most High” staying at the House. ETH&S Peter and Lauren Snyder plus “Samson from China and Pastor Melecio and Emilynn from the Philippines were recently with us.
We thank you for your prayers for us and for your continuing support of the work at the House of Peace.
Shabbat Shalom
Gene and Marylois/House of Peace