Only a Messi-like leader can heal and unite a fractured Israel

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: ROMY LEIBLER/THE MEDIA LINE
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The concept of the Messiah traces its roots to the Bible. The prophets often referred to how a man will emerge from the House of David, imbued by God with wisdom and understanding, who will assume leadership of the Jewish people. Christianity emerged following the crucifixion of Jesus, and he was crowned by his mainly Jewish followers as the Messiah

The majority of Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Throughout the centuries, Jews have continued to pray daily for the coming of the Messiah, which will bring about the end of war and an era where all people regardless of race, religion or culture will live in peace.

Jews have just celebrated Passover, which commemorates the redemption of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Every year, the Jews recite the "Haggadah," which tells the story of how God's miracles led to freedom. A key passage in the Haggadah states that in every generation, Jews will face enemies who will try to destroy us and that God will save us.

When Israel was established in 1948 following the decimation of six million Jews during the Holocaust, religiously inclined Zionists expressed the belief that we had entered into a period of our history known as the "beginning of the redemption."

Approaching Israel's 76th birthday, it is now being confronted by the Iranian axis of evil, which is determined to eradicate the Jewish nation.

Internal divisions throughout Israel's history

Throughout Israel's existence, there have been major internal divisions between left and right and religious versus secular. However, Israel has always overcome these historical divisions, uniting as a country during periods of adversity.

Over the last decade, Israel experienced its greatest period of prosperity. It also experienced its most unstable period of government. Five elections in four years. Dysfunctional governments formed, composed of coalitions with sectoral interests promoted by minor members to the detriment of the country. The attempt to carry out the judicial reforms was the most recent fiasco.

Then came Oct. 7, and the nation is still dealing with the fallout. The country needs to save the hostages, dismantle Hamas, quell Hizbullah and return its citizens to northern Israel, prevent terror in Judea and Samaria, and confront Iran.

While doing so, the country is in the terrible position of being ruled by a government that is seen as responsible for the...