Israeli Politics-- What Else?

Two brilliant posts were made to Israpundit today, that highlight the incredible impact Ariel Sharon's political death is making on the future of Israeli government and defense.

Whither Israel an inside view of political talk in the marketplace, provided by an Israeli who has made aliyah from America:

There is much confusion and uncertainty in Israeli politics and amongst the general public. After several years of ossified slumber, the political system suffered a series of jolts in the autumn and early winter – Amir Peretz shocked the nation by taking the leadership of Labor, then Sharon shook everything up by creating an instant party that drew leading politicians away from the Likud and Labor and grabbed a huge lead in the polls. And then the likelihood that Sharon will be leaving the political stage forever threw everything back into turmoil.

This is an incredible moment of political fluidity.

...Rockets are still being fired from Gaza to Sderot and very near Ashkelon, in Israel. Hamas is mounting a serious campaign for taking over the Palestinian Authority. Huge weapons caches are being smuggled daily along the Egyptian-Palestinian border.

The realignment of political parties and daily political dramas may soon be a luxury that cannot continue forever. Maybe Olmert will be able to hold Kadima together and continue Sharon's plans. But a lot of Israelis are likely to miss the old Ariel Sharon.

The crisis has begun Kenneth Timmerman's editorial from The Washington Times:

The massive stroke that cut down Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon late Wednesday night not only throws Israeli politics into turmoil. It marks the likely starting point of the coming nuclear showdown that will pit the Jewish state and the Free World against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

...Unilateral Israeli action, without provocation from Iran, could unleash a diplomatic, economic and military backlash such as the Jewish state had never witnessed since 1948, Mr. Sharon argued. After meeting with President Bush at his Texas ranch last April, Mr. Sharon made a strategic decision -- against the advice of his own generals and intelligence staff -- to place his bets on U.S.-backed nuclear negotiations with Iran led by the European Union.

...Iran now appears ready and willing to cross that red line. With Mr. Sharon sidelined from Israeli politics, Israeli military leaders are unlikely to bet on a prayer and a chance Iran just might be bluffing. After all, as Iran's Mr. Larijani himself said, Israel is "within our range."

Both entries confirm my feelings regarding the current state of political turmoil in Israel. While I cannot speak with authority as to what will transpire politically, I am sure that within the coming months, HaShem will act mightily on Israel's behalf and bless us with the victories His Covenant with us promises. A clear analysis of the events leading up to where we are at today proves that it will either be HaShem or death, and brings to mind D'varim (Deuteronomy) 30:19-20:

"I call on heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have presented you with life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life, so that you will live, you and your descendants, loving Adonai your G-d, paying attention to what He says and clinging to Him-- for that is the purpose of your life! On this depends the length of time you will live in the land Adonai swore He would give to your ancestors Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov."

We are equipped with all that we need to survive through our faith in HaShem. Now, we must act on our faith and pray mightily on behalf of all Israel, pleading for HaShem's mercy and quick action. For He alone is our strength and our salvation. Other countries may offer promises, negotiations, agreements, appeasements. Only our Creator and King has ever fulfilled all that He has promised to us. The weapon of life is in our hands and we have been chosen to use it wisely, that Israel and all the nations may be saved.

We must go forth in faith if the free world is to survive, and we must glorify HaShem alone for the victory we will surely obtain.