Transcript [00:00] Welcome to the weekly update of Israel [00:03] and Christians. Today it is the 11th of [00:06] November 2026. [00:10] Our text for today is from Psalm 127 [00:13] verse1. [00:15] Unless the Lord builds the house, its [00:17] builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord [00:20] watches over the city, the watchmen [00:22] stand guard in vain. [00:25] Israel's leaders are engaged in two [00:27] great tasks at the same time. In [00:30] Jerusalem, Gardi Eisenot has been given [00:32] the mandate to build a new government on [00:35] the borders and far beyond them. [00:37] Israel's watchmen are keeping guard [00:38] against an Iranian regime that is more [00:42] defiant and more openly nuclear in its [00:45] rhetoric than at any time since the [00:47] latest phase in the war began. [00:50] Both of these tasks are urgent. Both [00:53] will determine Israel's security and [00:55] stability in the short and medium term, [00:58] and both are fragile. [01:01] And a week after the American midterms, [01:03] Washington is holding fire on Iran, [01:05] while Thran all the while sets [01:07] impossible conditions, and Israel's [01:10] coalition negotiations are being shaped [01:12] at every turn by that war, or at least [01:15] perceptions about it. Psalm 127 reminds [01:18] us that neither the builders nor the [01:20] watchmen can succeed in their own [01:22] strength. In this weekly update, we look [01:25] at both stories, how they're connected, [01:27] and how we can pray. So, first of all, [01:30] what is happening in Iran? What is Iran [01:33] doing? Well, Iran is combining combining [01:36] defiance with pressure. The straight of [01:39] Hammuz remains closed. Thran insists it [01:42] will stay closed until the United States [01:45] accepts all seven of its conditions [01:48] which include the lifting of sanctions, [01:50] the unfreezing of Iranian assets and end [01:53] to the US naval blockade of Iranian [01:56] ports and guarantees against further [01:58] attacks. Iran says its proposal passed [02:02] through Qatari mediators would reopen [02:05] the strait within two days if the [02:07] conditions were met. [02:09] Yesterday, the Secretary of Iran's [02:11] Supreme National Security Council, Mosen [02:14] Razi, went further, declaring that [02:16] quote, "We are not currently conducting [02:18] any negotiations with the Americans," [02:21] close quote, and calling US claims of [02:23] progress complete lies. [02:26] Meanwhile, the danger at sea is growing. [02:29] Several tankers have been hit by [02:31] explosions or mines in and around the [02:34] straight of Hammuz over the past week [02:36] and one seaf farer was killed on a [02:38] tanker in the Gulf on the 5th of [02:40] November. The Revolutionary Guard Corps [02:43] IGC claimed to have shot down a US MQ9 [02:48] drone over Kashm Island. And on 7th of [02:51] November, it announced that it had [02:53] lifted its self-imposed [02:55] 2,000 kilometer limit on the range of [02:58] Iranian ballistic missiles. Iranian [03:01] officials have warned that European [03:03] countries, undersea cables, and Gulf [03:06] data centers could become targets if the [03:09] war resumes. [03:11] In Saudi Arabia, debris from a Houthi [03:15] missile damaged an Aramco building in [03:17] Riyad. [03:19] Most worrying is the nuclear rhetoric. [03:22] On state television, Iranian hardliner [03:25] Muhammad Javad Larani spoke of using [03:29] nuclear weapons quote tactically close [03:32] quote against military bases and called [03:35] for the enrichment of uranium to 80%. [03:38] The IRGC [03:40] said it would be ready if the leadership [03:43] changed Iran's nuclear doctrine [03:46] and Supreme Leader Muaba Kamayi has [03:49] never publicly confirmed that he upholds [03:52] his father's religious ruling against [03:55] nuclear weapons. [03:57] Iran is also reported to be distributing [03:59] iodine tablets near its nuclear [04:02] facilities. [04:03] At home, the regime continues to crush [04:06] dissent. On 8th of November, three men [04:09] were executed over the January protests. [04:13] They were accused of links to Israel and [04:15] the US. [04:17] So, what is the United States [04:19] considering? Well, President Trump's [04:21] message this week has been mixed. On the [04:23] 6th of November, US forces carried out [04:26] what he called minor strikes on an [04:28] Iranian air defense site. The next day, [04:31] US Central Command disabled a cargo ship [04:34] trying to break the blockade and [04:36] launched Task Force Iron Gate, which [04:39] aims to extend the blockade to Iran's [04:42] land routes and the Caspian Sea. Trump [04:44] has said that US forces have identified [04:47] 38 bridges as possible targets, and the [04:50] Times reported that a strike on the [04:52] heavily fortified Pickax Mountain [04:54] nuclear site is being seriously [04:57] considered. According to Fox News, Trump [05:00] held two meetings with his national [05:01] security team last week on resuming [05:03] strikes [05:05] with 9th of November, which was a [05:07] moonless night reportedly proposed and [05:10] then shelved. Yet, the president is [05:13] clearly reluctant to return to [05:15] full-scale war. On the 8th of November, [05:18] he told CNN that new strikes were highly [05:20] unlikely to be necessary if Iran signs a [05:23] strong agreement. He since told Reuters [05:26] that the US will not launch a new [05:28] offensive quote for the time being close [05:31] quote and that the war is militarily [05:33] quote effectively over and that there is [05:36] a good chance of a deal [05:39] while adding that America can strike [05:42] quote at any time we want close quote. [05:45] Secretary of State Rubio is more [05:47] skeptical speaking at a G7 conference in [05:50] Paris. He called Iran's demands quote [05:53] outrageous and ridiculous. [05:56] Close quote. He said a deal might not be [05:58] possible and argued that economic [06:00] pressure is working. The US Treasury has [06:03] added new sanctions and the US is [06:05] offering up to $20 million for [06:07] information on Iran's nuclear program. [06:10] So, how are the US elections affecting [06:12] all of this? Well, very directly, Trump [06:15] has acknowledged that the war uh with [06:18] Iran was one reason for the Republicans [06:20] heavy losses last week. Vice President [06:23] Vance said it was the reason. Iran's [06:26] parliamentary speaker greeted the [06:28] results by declaring that Americans had [06:30] said no to war. When the new Congress is [06:33] sworn in in January, Democrats will [06:36] control the committees and will have new [06:38] tools to investigate and restrict war. [06:41] Even before then, a government funding [06:43] deadline on 11th of December. And the [06:46] annual defense bill gives Senate [06:48] Democrats leverage. Analysts in Tehran [06:51] believe this uncertainty is making Trump [06:53] hesitate. They're trying to exploit it. [06:56] Next week, Trump will meet Presidents [06:59] Putin and Z at the APEC summit in China [07:03] with Iran on the agenda. [07:06] Turning to Israel, Israel's position is [07:09] clear. On the 8th of November, Defense [07:12] Minister Israel Katz said that Israel is [07:14] not finished with Iran, that the mission [07:16] is still not complete, and that Iran is [07:19] trying to renew its pursuit of nuclear [07:21] weapons. Also warned Hezbollah not to [07:25] join any renewed Iranian attack. [07:28] According to the Financial Times, Prime [07:30] Minister Netanyahu is calling President [07:32] Trump every day to urge him to resume [07:35] the war, while Gulf leaders urge [07:37] restraint. Last month, Netanyahu said [07:40] Israel is prepared to strike Iran [07:42] preemptively, even without US support. [07:46] Iran's channel, Israel's channel 12 has [07:49] reported that an Israeli operation [07:51] against Iran was indeed planned around [07:54] the time of the 27 October election and [07:57] was halted after Washington learned of [08:00] it. The Israeli elections are affecting [08:03] Israel's capacity to counter the Iranian [08:05] threat. Israel's military and [08:07] intelligence capabilities are unchanged, [08:10] but its political capacity to take [08:12] far-reaching decisions is clearly [08:14] weakened. Netanyahu is now a caretaker [08:18] prime minister without a majority, while [08:20] his rival Eisenot holds the mandate. [08:23] Launching a major new operation without [08:26] American backing and in the middle of [08:28] coalition talks would be politically [08:30] explosive. And some opposition figures [08:32] have openly voiced suspicion that a new [08:35] war could be used to disrupt the [08:37] formation of a government. President [08:39] Herzog uh in giving Eisen the mandate [08:42] warned that Iran is not waiting even a [08:45] moment in its plots and threats and he [08:48] stressed that Israel needs a stable [08:50] government quickly. [08:52] What would change under Eisenkot? [08:54] Probably less than many assume. Eisenot, [08:57] formerly an IDF chief of staff, regards [09:00] Iran and its proxies as a threat that [09:02] must be met militarily if necessary. [09:05] Analysts at the Sufan Center expect that [09:08] an Eisenkot government would not rule [09:10] out joining a renewed US campaign or [09:12] even acting alone if Iran's nuclear [09:16] program advances, but that it would be [09:19] less likely to press Trump to resume the [09:21] war or to oppose a US Iran deal. [09:26] Netanyahu, for his part, warned in this [09:29] week's Knesset speech that a new [09:31] government would face pressure to accept [09:33] a nuclear Iran and withdraw from [09:36] Israel's security zones in Lebanon, [09:38] Syria, and Gaza. [09:41] Eisenot has received the mandate from [09:44] President Herzog uh who formally asked [09:47] him to form Israel's ne next government. [09:51] In the consultations, Eisenkot was [09:53] recommended by 67 Knesset members [09:57] um including Naplei Bennett, Avagador [10:00] Lieberman and Yer Golan and both the [10:03] Arab parties Ram and the joint list as [10:06] well. Netanyahu was recommended by only [10:09] 46 [10:11] um from Likud Osma Yehudit religious [10:15] ionism and shaz United Torah Judaism [10:18] recommended no one. Herzog acknowledged [10:21] that the fact that the Lud faction is [10:24] the largest faction has not escaped his [10:26] attention but asked Eisenot nevertheless [10:29] to form a government that would serve [10:31] all Israelis. Eisenot now has 28 days [10:34] until about the 6th of December with a [10:37] possible extension of 14 days. He's [10:40] called for a national emergency [10:42] government, warning that Israeli [10:44] democracy is quote at one of the most [10:47] vulnerable moments quote in its history [10:50] and that quote creative and [10:51] unconventional political steps will be [10:53] required close quote. He has set four [10:56] principles for any partners. recognition [10:59] of Israel as a Jewish and democratic [11:01] state. Commitment to the values of the [11:03] Declaration of Independence. Thirdly, [11:06] service for all citizens, whether [11:08] military, national, or civilian. And [11:10] fourth, recognition of Hamas as a [11:12] terrorist organization with a commitment [11:14] to dismantling its military and [11:17] governing power in Gaza. [11:20] 26th Knesset was sworn in uh this past [11:23] week on the 10th of November. The [11:25] session immediately showed how deep [11:26] divisions run. In a passionate speech, [11:29] Netanyahu repeated his call for a [11:32] national unity government under his [11:34] leadership and declared that Israel [11:36] cannot rely on a narrow government with [11:38] supporters of terrorism, enemies of [11:41] Israel, referring to the Arab parties. [11:44] Eisenot called it a hatefilled speech [11:46] and cancelled a negotiating meeting with [11:49] Liquid planned for today. Eisenot's [11:52] block has also nominated Batan Kahana to [11:55] replace Amir Ohana as Knesset speaker. [12:00] Uh he faces Eisenot faces a lot of [12:03] challenges. Um his own block has just 48 [12:08] states st seats in the Knesset while [12:10] Netanyahu's block has 53 and the [12:14] remaining 19 the total 120 seats belong [12:18] to the two Arab parties. So every route [12:21] to government requires is cod either to [12:24] bring in parties that his own partners [12:26] reject or to persuade parties from [12:28] Netanyahu's camp to cross over. [12:32] Lieberman is the pivot. Without his [12:34] seven seats, Eisenot has no majority at [12:37] all. Lieberman refuses to rely on the [12:40] Arab parties either directly or [12:42] indirectly and opposes a minority [12:45] government instead. He's even called to [12:48] bring the heredi parties in accepting [12:51] what he called painful compromises on [12:54] their military service. The heredi [12:56] parties insist that heredi men ultra [13:00] orthodox men remain exempt from military [13:02] service. U Liberman's message to [13:06] Eisenkot was thus give up the Arab [13:08] support and I'll make sure to bring in [13:10] the heredi parties. Eisenot meanwhile [13:13] insist that service for all is [13:15] non-negotiable. Even the Knesset [13:17] speakership has caused friction between [13:20] them. Eisenot has left the door open to [13:23] Le could. He said that any Le could [13:25] member, even Bessel Smotri's party would [13:28] be welcome if they accept his four [13:31] principles. The could says it's willing [13:34] to talk to anyone who wants unity, but [13:36] not under Eisenot's conditions. So for [13:39] now a unity government seems as distant [13:41] as ever and if I isot fails the mandate [13:44] could pass to another candidate or [13:47] Israel will be heading back for another [13:49] election early next year. Now briefly [13:53] about the Heredian Arab parties. They [13:55] are the kingmakers. The Heredi parties [13:58] hold the key to a Jewish majority. [14:01] Politically they represent 13 seats uh [14:04] which together give Eisenkot's block [14:07] exactly 61 seats if they were to join. [14:11] So moving on to the Arab parties both [14:13] Arab parties recommended Eisenkot for [14:15] prime minister and with a record 19 [14:18] seats they could decide the outcome. The [14:20] joint list says it will not seek [14:22] ministries or formal membership of the [14:24] coalition but would support an Eisenkot [14:27] government from outside in return for [14:30] certain guarantees. [14:32] Ram's leader Mansour Abus wants his [14:35] party to be part of the coalition. [14:37] Eisenot himself has kept his distance [14:40] from both the Arab parties. He said his [14:42] priority is a Zionist government [14:44] committed to military conscription. [14:48] and Lieberman and Bennett rule out [14:50] altogether depending on Ram. Even so, [14:53] Wet reports that Eisenot's team is [14:56] examining a minority government that [14:58] would take office without the UTG uh [15:03] that's the heredi party Ram and the [15:05] joint list under Kesset rules requires [15:09] only more votes for than against. [15:12] Netanyahu's made the Arab parties the [15:14] center of his campaign against Eisenot [15:16] describing them as quote supporters of [15:18] terrorism close quote. Abus in turn uh [15:23] claimed this week that Netanyahu once [15:25] told him that Yaha Sinoir and I [15:28] understand each other. The question of [15:30] whether a Jewish state at war can be [15:32] governed with the support of the Arab [15:34] parties, some of whose members reject [15:36] Zionism, is now the most divisive issue [15:39] in Israeli politics. [15:41] So, how are all of these issues [15:43] connected? Well, the Iranian threat is [15:46] the main reason both Netanyahu and [15:48] Eisenhot are calling for an emergency or [15:51] unity government. It's the argument [15:53] Netanyahu uses against the coalition [15:56] dependent on Arab parties, and it's the [15:58] reason Herzog is pressing for a stable [16:01] government quickly. At the same time, [16:03] the heredi draft question is not just a [16:05] religious or social issue. After three [16:08] years of war on several fronts, the IDF [16:11] badly needs more soldiers. And Tehran is [16:14] watching. A divided Knesset in Jerusalem [16:17] and a divided government in Washington [16:19] are exactly what the Iranian regime [16:22] hopes for. Its strategy is to wait out [16:24] its enemies, raise the costs of war [16:26] through Hammuz, and exploit political [16:29] weakness in both capitals. Coming weeks [16:32] with Eisenkot's deadline in early [16:34] December and the US funding deadline [16:36] also in December will show whether [16:39] Israel and America can act with unity [16:41] and resolve or whether Iran's waiting [16:43] game succeed. The builders and the [16:46] watchmen both need the Lord and we and [16:49] the nations too can be watchmen on the [16:51] walls of Jerusalem. The scriptures [16:53] encourage us for Zion's sake I will not [16:55] keep silent. For Jerusalem's sake, I [16:58] will not remain quiet till her [17:00] vindication shines out like the dawn, [17:03] her salvation like a blazing torch. [17:06] Isaiah 62. [17:08] So, let us pray for Gaddy Eisenot, for [17:11] Israel's party leaders. Uh we'll pray [17:13] for unity in Israel. Pray for a just [17:17] solution on military service. Pray for [17:20] President Herzog. [17:21] Pray concerning Iran. Pray that the Lord [17:24] would frustrate this regime's plans that [17:27] Iran would never obtain nuclear weapons. [17:30] Pray for President Trump, American [17:32] leaders, and pray uh especially also for [17:37] Israeli soldiers and civilians on every [17:39] front, for all who need protection, uh [17:42] for Israel's neighbors who are [17:44] threatened by Iran and its proxies. He [17:46] that keepeth Israel shall neither [17:48] slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121. So that's [17:53] the end of this week's weekly update. [17:55] Thank you so much for listening. Wishing [17:58] you a blessed remainder of the week and [18:01] we will see you next week. God bless.
