Inside The Epicenter With Joel Rosenberg

Israelis have just cast ballots in the most consequential national election since October 7th, with a record turnout of 77.7%—higher than in any election in Israel's history. Yet a day later, no clear winner has emerged. Joel and Lynn break down the complex math behind the results, explain why Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud and Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party are both claiming momentum, describe how Israel's parliamentary coalition system works, and outline the possible scenarios, from a national unity government to another round of elections, that could determine who leads the country next.

(02:27) Record turnout: 77.7% of Israelis vote
(07:37) How Israel's paper ballot system works
(09:24) Breaking down the seats: 67 vs. 53
(11:50) Why the Arab parties complicate the math
(17:10) Likud vs. Yashar: how the final results flipped the polls
(18:30) What happens next: President Herzog's role and the 28-day clock
(24:44) Bible verse and prayer for Israel's leaders
(26:35) How Netanyahu supporters and opponents are feeling
(34:37) The real divide: military service for the ultra-Orthodox
(36:05) Scenario one: a national unity government
(39:26) Scenario two: Eisenkot partners with Arab parties
(40:26) Scenario three: Netanyahu brings Bennett and Lieberman back into the fold
(43:57) Closing thoughts and how to pray


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Bible verse of the day:
1 Timothy 2:1-3 - First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.

Prayer Request:
1. Pray for President Isaac Herzog and his advisors as they decide who to give the first chance to form Israel's next government, that they would have wisdom and discernment.
2. Pray for the leaders of Israel's various parties, that they would be humble and consider the best interests of the country above personal or political ambition.
3. Pray for the nine Jordanian Christians killed and nearly forty wounded in a terrorist attack just days before the election, and for the Christian community and leaders in Jordan.
4. Pray for a quiet and dignified national life in Israel, that the church would have the opportunity to grow and that many would come to know the truth.

Related Episodes:
Inside the Epicenter #391: In the War Room, Part 1
Inside the Epicenter #392: In the War Room, Part 2
Inside the Epicenter #388: Benny Gantz
Inside the Epicenter #367: Part Two — Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

Welcome to Inside the Epicenter, where we explore the latest events in the Middle East through a biblical perspective. In this episode, join host Joel Rosenberg and guest Yonah Jeremy Bobb as they go inside Israel’s war room for a rare look at the risky decisions behind Israel’s strikes on Iran. Hear how changing intelligence, U.S. politics, and mass Iranian protests led to dramatic military action—and how these moves are shaping Prime Minister Netanyahu’s controversial legacy.

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Bible verse of the day:
Psalms 20:7 - Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of Yahweh—our God.
Prayer Request:

Pray for Israel's leaders and military decision-makers as they confront threats from Iran and other enemies that surround them. Ask God to give them wisdom, discernment, courage, and justice as they make decisions that could affect millions of lives throughout Israel and the Middle East.
Pray for the people of Iran, especially those who are desiring— longing, really— for freedom and have suffered during periods of unrest and government repression. Ask God to protect the innocent people, to strengthen His church, and to open doors for the gospel to continue spreading throughout the nation of Iran.

Related Episodes:
Inside the War Room: Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot Pt.1 #391
Inside the War Room: Netanyahu's Riskiest Wartime Decisions Pt.2 #391
Special Episode - Unpacking the FlyDubai Hijacking Attempt #389
War, Rumors of War, and the Gospel #381
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Welcome to Inside the Epicenter, where we explore the latest events in the Middle East through a biblical perspective. In this episode, host Joel Rosenberg is joined by Wall Street Journal editorial board member Elliot Kaufman, co-author of "In the War Room." Together, they offer a revealing look into Israel’s hardest wartime decisions following the October 7th attacks—exploring why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resisted striking Hezbollah, the heated debates among Israeli leaders, and the mounting pressure from the U.S. Kaufman shares exclusive reporting from inside Israel’s war room, showing how strategy, hesitation, and daring gambles determined the outcome of hostage negotiations and the evolving course of the war.

(00:00) Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot election battle
(03:22) Decision on Preemptive Attack
(07:20) Considering new military strategies
(11:50) Netanyahu's risky Doha airstrike
(16:33) Failed strike and peace implications
(17:31 )Trump's tactics with Qatar
(21:52) Inside Israel's War Room Decisions

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Bible verse of the day:
Proverbs 21:31- The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Prayer Request:

Pray for Israel's leaders and their military decision-makers as they make extraordinarily difficult choices involving national security, military operations, and relationships with Israel's allies. Ask God to give them wisdom, discernment, courage, and restraint to know not only what actions to take, but when to take them.
Pray for the peace and security of Israel as the country continues to face threats from multiple directions. And pray for the families that have grieving loved ones who did not survive captivity as hostages and those that have been lost in these last three years.

Related Episodes:
Inside the War Room: Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot Pt.1 #391
EXCLUSIVE: Benny Gantz - Three Years Since October 7 and Leading Through Crisis #390
Special Episode - Unpacking the FlyDubai Hijacking Attempt #389
War, Rumors of War, and the Gospel #381
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Joel speaks with Yonah Jeremy Bob, senior military correspondent for The Jerusalem Post. and co-author of the new book "In the War Room.
This is the first in a multi-part series. Together, they go behind the scenes of Israel's war cabinet after October 7th, exploring the fierce personal and ideological clashes between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his now-chief political rival, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot — and what those clashes reveal just weeks before Israel's October 27th elections.
(00:00) What really happened behind closed doors after October 7th
(01:36) Introducing "In the War Room" and its exclusive access to Netanyahu, Gallant, Gantz, and Eisenkot
(05:35) Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot: two starkly different leadership styles
(08:25) The cast of characters: deep distrust between Gallant, Gantz, and Netanyahu
(10:14) The pre-October 7th firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
(12:12) Bible verse and prayer for Israel's leaders
(13:09) The Rafah decision: Biden, Harris, and the push to end the war early
(16:25) Netanyahu's case for finishing the job
(19:09) How this history could shape the 2026 election battle
(19:41) Personal sacrifice: Gadi Eisenkot's son and nephews killed in Gaza
(22:27) Closing thoughts

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Bible verse of the day:
Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

Prayer Request:
1. Pray for Israel's leaders and national decision-makers as they carry enormous responsibility for security, diplomacy, and the future of the country — ask the Lord to give them wisdom, humility, and discernment.
2. Pray for unity among Israel's leaders during this time of national crisis, that they would place the good of the nation above political or personal differences.
3. Pray for Israeli families who have lost loved ones, that the Lord would strengthen those whose family members continue to serve and bring healing to a nation carrying the wounds of war.

Related Episodes:
Inside the Epicenter #388: Benny Gantz
Inside the Epicenter #367: Part Two — Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
Inside the Epicenter #359: Ceasefire — Iran War Update

Join us in Israel in 2027
https://joshuafund.com/2027-epicenter-summit-landing-page/

Welcome to Inside the Epicenter, where we explore the latest events in the Middle East through a biblical perspective. In this episode of Inside the Epicenter, we mark three years since the October 7th, 2023, Hamas attack with special guest Benny Gantz, Israel’s former Defense Minister and alternate Prime Minister. Gantz shares what it was like inside Israel’s war room, the challenges of unity among political rivals, the heated debates over strategy, and the personal cost of war. He also offers a special message to evangelical Christians considering a visit to Israel. Join us for an insider’s perspective on crisis leadership and faith amid conflict.

(00:02) Inside Israel's election tensions
(03:06) Discussing Israeli leadership dynamics
(07:00) Netanyahu and Unity Government Dynamics
(12:32) War room strategy discussions
(15:09) Discussing a past unique crisis
(18:19) Addressing criticisms and misunderstandings
(20:49) Reflecting on Psalm 121 for Israel
(26:34) Forming emergency unity government
(27:54) Interview with a key decision-maker

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Make a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua Fund
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Bible verse of the day:
Psalm 121: 1- 4. I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Prayer Request:
Pray for Israel as they are fatigued, as they are wondering when normalcy will return. And pray with us that they would cry out in these same words of David, that they would have the same heart as the shepherd king David, that they would lift up their eyes to the hills, that they would look to the Lord, that they would ask Him for His protection, and that they would turn to know their God, the God who keeps Israel.
Related Episodes:
The Mecca Pact: Is Saudi Arabia Turning Away from Israel? #386
Bye-Bye Bibi? Israel's Most Consequential Election in Decades #385
Raising Up Israel's Next Generation: The Story of Netivah #382
War, Rumors of War, and the Gospel #381

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