Prime Minister of Israel Ousted for More Liberal Leadership

Israel’s election process is very different from that of the United States. In the USA, we vote for a person who belongs to a party and the electoral college vote is what decides the winner (not majority count).

Israel’s political system is based on proportional representation and allows for a multi-party system with numerous parties represented and can change in number with each election. The parties are represented in the 120-seat Knesset. During the elections, a vote is cast for the party; not a person. However, a person heads the party.

In 2021, a fourth election took place and standing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was named the winner as leader of the Likud party. He was then tasked with forming a coalition of other parties to win 61 seats of the 120-seat Knesset. The Prime Minister was unable to do that.

The President, Reuben Rivlin, then asked for others to see if they could form a coalition and because their desire to oust Netanyahu was so strong, parties that were never likely to be included were included. For example, an Arab party.

Israel’s new unity government composed of a broad coalition of parties from across the political spectrum was not something anyone had expected. Some feel it was the best-case scenario out of the two options on the table: a unity government or a fifth election.

The new unity government will be led by Naftali Bennett. Bennett is head of the right-wing Yamina party and will partner with Yair Lapid, head of the centrist Yesh Atid party. Six other parties that span the political spectrum will be included, one of which is an Arab party. Many see this coalition as a political shake-up that comes when there are already security and economic crises.

The next step is the “vote of confidence” in the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) which will take place on June 13 before it is sworn in. Under the deal that was announced last week, Mr. Bennett would serve first as prime minister for two years, followed by Mr. Lapid.

The agreement could still fall apart if some right-wing lawmakers are persuaded not to back the new government.

It seems that every country in the world is experiencing chaos and Israel is no different. When you pray for the USA, please remember to hold up Israel in your prayers especially for God’s plan in this leadership shift.

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