Yesterday, Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin tasked current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with forming the next government. It will be a Herculean job.

In Israel’s splintered multi-party system, Netanyahu controls a block of 55 seats. He needs 61 to reach a governing majority in the Knesset but because of ideology, animus or ambition, the other parties which won Knesset seats in last week’s national elections are unlikely to join Netanyahu’s right-wing, Likud-party-led coalition. His coalition includes Orthodox parties, which will not sit well with other parties he needs to gain enough seats. Here are the players:

• Blue and White party, led by Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid (44 seats)
• Yisrael Beitenu—secular, center-right party led by Avigdor Lieberman (8 seats)
• Joint List—predominantly Arab coalition of parties opposed to Zionism and, in some stances, friendly to terrorists (13 seats)

+  +  28 days to form government

If after 28 days (with a possible 14-day extension) Netanyahu is unable to form a governing coalition, the task will go to Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz. A former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, Gantz is a political newcomer. Like Netanyahu, he has next to no chance—given the parties from which he has to choose—of getting to 61 seats and forming a government.

If both Netanyahu and Gantz are unable to form a governing coalition, Israelis may go back to the polls for the third time in a year.

+  +  Corruption charges loom against Netanyahu

And in the midst of Israel’s electoral uncertainty, Netanyahu is battling corruption charges. Now Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Netanyahu is vigorously contesting what he calls a “witch hunt.” Next week, the prime minister faces a “pre-indictment” hearing to weigh the evidence against him. Netanyahu wants it televised so the Israeli public can judge for themselves.

It’s not hard to believe that the charges are trumped-up. Israeli columnist Caroline Glick reported in August on an interview published in the Israeli press in which, she wrote,

"Former police investigator chief superintendent Boaz Gutman confirmed the long-alleged claim that police and prosecutors are motivated to investigate right-wing politicians rather than left-wing politicians because they want the Left restored to power."

+  +  Paralysis at a time of mounting threats

But as Israelis concentrate on domestic politics, the threat from abroad is growing from Iran and its clients—Syria, Hezbollah and Hams. Netanyahu now leads what’s described as a “caretaker” government. Because of that, his options are limited—and that puts Israel at risk. To quote Glick once more: 

“Israel’s prolonged political volatility and uncertainty has had a disastrous impact on Israel’s strategic flexibility. Indeed, it has induced strategic paralysis. Israel cannot respond in a meaningful way to threats or take advantage of strategic opportunities that present themselves.”

+  +  Will you pray?

The nation and people of Israel need our prayers. That’s why, I am asking you to join me in calling on God to protect and bless His people at this time of uncertainty and indecision.

Will you join me and other friends of Israel in a special season of prayer for Israel between now and Yom Kippur (Oct. 8-9)?

Without God’s help, there is no way out of the current electoral impasse in which no block has a clear path to power. Meanwhile, the existential threats to the Jewish state from its next-door neighbors are very real.

Please stand with Israel in prayer.

And if you can make a gift now to help us close the gap on a difficult budget deficit this month, please do!

And as you give, I'm excited to send you a special resource in thanks for your gift today. "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem" gives you a captivating look at what the Bible tells you and me about petitioning God on Israel's behalf.

This intriguing pamphlet addresses the awesome power of intercessory prayer. It shows you how you can defend Israel on your knees—and how your prayers can help unlock God's prophetic plan for the Jewish people and the world.

Please let me hear from you right away!

Thank you.

Together for Israel,

Mat Staver
Chairman