Netanyahu Reminds Rivals That He is “God’s Chosen”

Incoming Prime Minister Naftali Bennett responds with his own public invocation of the Almighty

By Israel Today Staff | | Topics: Benjamin Netanyahu, Elections
Netanyahu looks to God to legitimize his rule
Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

It was to Benjamin Netanyahu’s good fortune that the date of Israel’s change of government just happened to fall on the anniversary of the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

That provided Bibi with the opportunity to remind his political rivals of what the rebbe, considered by some in the Chabad movement to be the soon-coming Messiah, told him decades ago in New York.

“I am reminded of comments made to me by the rabbi of Lubavitch: ‘You will need to fight with 119 people [i.e. all other members of Knesset], but you will certainly not be impressed by this as God is on this [i.e. your] side. Blessing and success to you. God will give a blessing and success,’” Netanyahu tweeted.

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Naftali Bennett appeared to react to Netanyahu’s post with a tweet of his own showing the incoming prime minister draped in a tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) accompanied by the priestly benediction: “May God bless you, and keep you; may God make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; may God lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”

Make no mistake, God and the Bible continue to play a major role in Israeli politics, even if Israeli politicians all too often invoke the Almighty to legitimize their own ambitions.