The Coalition Puzzle

I love to read the Dry Bones Comics. Many of the older ones are still relevant today. One Golden Oldie is from 1981 shows Menachim Begin trying to solve the puzzle of how to unite the different ministers to form a new coalition government in the Knesset. It seems that there is nothing new under the sun, because today we're watching Likud leader Bibi Netanyahu doing the same.

He is shown using the Rubik Cube. I am sure you remember the puzzle consisting of twenty-six unique miniature cubes, also called "cubies" or "cubelets". It has twelve edge pieces which show two colored sides each, and eight corner pieces which show three colors. There are 8! (40,320) ways to arrange the corner cubes, and 12!/2 (239,500,800) ways to arrange the edges. Don’t ask me about mathematics, it has something to do with permutations. Although there are a significant number of possible permutations for the Rubik's Cube, there have been a number of solutions developed which allow for the cube to be solved in well under 100 moves.

The Israeli elections have been over for quite some time. But we still do not have a new government and every day that passes sees new possibilities as to what kind of government will eventually emerge. You see, the formation of Israel’s next government has nothing to do with the will of the voters, rather it is Israel's version of the game show, "Let's make a Deal".

While it first appeared that the next government would be dependent upon religious and right wing parties, we now hear that Netanyahu made Barak an offer he cannot refuse. If this materializes then the right wing will have lost its power and the government will be much like the previous one.

So, once again, we see the Israeli democracy proves to be nothing more than a rubber stamp to the secular politicians who care more about their seats then they do about the country they want to run.

Could it be that the Almighty will not allow Israel to have a strong government until they turn to Him for help and guidance?

Shalom – Lilo