Bibi’s Nine Lives

What a weird, weird time in Israeli politics. With lethal threats on every border, the Knesset appears to be unstable, in that two elections cannot separate one candidate from the others for a full mandate as prime minister. Benjamin Netanyahu, now in office for a staggering 10 years, is perhaps the “victim” of a media machine so vicious, they make their American counterparts look like Donald Trump’s pr machine.

It was reported just last week that Benny Gantz, Bibi’s primary challenger for the top job, was given a chance to form a government. The leader of the “Blue and White” party is inexperienced in politics, but that generally doesn’t deter former military guys from running.

Now, more fireworks are going off, as Netanyahu has given the Defense Ministry portfolio to younger rival Naftali Bennett, of the New Right. His ally, Ayelet Shaked, is still hanging around too, but the small party didn’t do well in the last elections.

What makes the Bennett appointment even more intriguing is the fact that it was being reported that he was flirting with joining a Gantz government. Honestly, I didn’t think this was viable, and it turns out, it wasn’t. Gantz is willing to bring in Arab parties, and this strikes me as virtual treason. Can you imagine give the “Joint List” access to national security information?

And then we have “kingmaker” Avigdor Liberman making noise about entering a minority coalition with Arab parties (meaning joining forces with Blue and White), if Netanyahu doesn’t make the concessions Liberman demands; this is mostly about Liberman’s dislike of the ultra Orthodox parties that court Netanyahu.

So we have several career political opportunists playing fast-and-loose with Israel’s immediate future. At this moment in time, no leader is better suited to guide Israel than Netanyahu. Anyone to the left of him will be weaker-to-much-weaker, and that is cause for real concern.

Continue to pray for Israel, of course. The Lord is in control. I pray that he thwarts the plans of the wicked in the Holy Land.

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com

Attack!

Iran has been flexing its muscles in the Middle East for a long time. Now the Islamist stronghold is downright pumping iron. In their zeal to get rid of Israel, the mullahs are allowing the military to talk a good game.

Israel is taking notice.

In a report this week from Breitbart:

Israel’s military has a multi-tiered network of integrated air defense systems “on alert” for any attack by Iran’s missiles, Israeli Air Force chief Amikam Norkin confirmed on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this month Iran intends to attack Israel, and any attack which emanates from Yemen complicates the IDF’s response as its intermediate and long-range air defenses are better positioned to shoot down incoming attacks from Israel’s north, rather than from the south.

“Even as we speak, Arrow, Patriot, David’s Sling and Iron Dome batteries are on alert,” Norkin said Wednesday night at a graduation ceremony for air defense officers.

Attack drones and cruise missiles are now also part of the mix. Lebanon’s Hezbollah terrorists have also been stockpiling rockets for more than 10 years.

Recently, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander, Major General Hossein Salami, said that wiping out Israel is now “an achievable goal.”

What we must keep in mind though is that Israel’s defensive capabilities are multi-layered. And there is another factor.

Israel’s defensive capabilities are enhanced by her offensive capabilities. I am confident—no, I am certain—Israel will meet any challenge. In fact, if Iran poses an existential threat to Israel, the mullahs will cease to exist.

One can also hope that as time goes on, young people in these countries will revolt. That is happening in Lebanon, where the country’s billionaires have more than 99 percent of the country. Added to this misery is a proxy war between supporters of Iran and Saudi Arabia. Iran’s mischief is curtailed somewhat by US sanctions, which impact the trouble Hezbollah can make.

As we follow closely the military threats to Israel in the region, let’s let things play out and not despair. Pray hard for Israel, and pray hard for the return of the Lord!

Israel will be okay. God has promised.

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com