ISRAEL ON EDGE: NETANYAHU WARNS IRAN AS GLOBAL TENSIONS RISE | MESSIANIC WORLD UPDATE
Israel at a Crossroads: Elections, Iran, and Growing Unrest
Shalom, everyone. I'm Monty Judah with Lion of Lamb Ministries, and welcome to another edition of Messianic World Update. Today's date is Friday, October 23rd of the year 2026. And here's the news for the week. The latest polls for the Israeli elections that are coming up next week indicate a “dead heat” between Netanyahu and his top opponent. Netanyahu now says the Iranian regime must fall completely, and the olive harvest has begun in Israel. And with it, great contention and problems in Judea and Samaria. The European riots are also continuing, and this weekend a massive protest is scheduled.
Israel Decides: A Critical Election Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
Israel's elections are scheduled for October 27, and the latest polling shows an extremely close race.
Some polls indicate a virtual dead heat, with neither political bloc having a clear majority. Another poll, however, paints a much stronger picture for Benjamin Netanyahu, showing his party with 30 seats and a potential coalition bloc of 55 seats. If that polling proves accurate, Netanyahu may once again find a path to forming a government.
President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the election by enthusiastically endorsing Netanyahu. Trump pointed to Israel's partnership with the United States in confronting Iran and terrorism, suggesting that there is still unfinished business between the two nations concerning Iran.
But Israelis are voting on much more than personalities.
One major issue is whether the Orthodox community should continue receiving exemptions from military service. Israel's religious parties favor maintaining exemptions and could become important partners in a future Netanyahu-led coalition.
Another major issue is Judea and Samaria. Netanyahu has again rejected the creation of a Palestinian state, keeping the question of Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria at the center of the political debate.
There is also continuing anger surrounding the failures of October 7. Families and communities directly affected by the attack have not forgotten what happened, and many are holding Israel's political and military leadership responsible.
All of these issues are converging as Israelis prepare to cast their ballots. The outcome will do much more than determine who becomes prime minister. It could shape Israel's security and foreign policy for years to come.
Netanyahu: Iran's Regime Must Change
Perhaps the most significant development this week came in comments Netanyahu made to IDF officers on October 21. Iranian leaders are again talking openly about the need for a nuclear weapon as a deterrent against Israel and the United States. Netanyahu's response was unmistakable: he believes the only way to permanently stop Iran's nuclear ambitions is through a complete change of the Iranian regime.
According to Netanyahu, Israel's military, intelligence, and security services have been directed to act against the Iranian threat and deal with the problem "once and for all." That raises an important question: What happens after the elections?
There are strong indications that Israel and the United States remain closely aligned concerning Iran. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made a surprise visit to Israel this past week for security discussions, and reports indicate that American and Israeli officials have been working on joint plans. We do not know exactly what will happen or when. But the rhetoric coming from Israel and the United States suggests that the confrontation with Iran is far from over.
Meanwhile, Hamas claims that it has rebuilt its forces in Gaza to approximately 40,000 operatives and continues to insist that it will never disarm. Negotiations surrounding Gaza remain stalled. The enemies surrounding Israel have not disappeared. They are regrouping, rebuilding, and waiting.
Tensions Rise During the Olive Harvest
The annual olive harvest is underway in Israel, but once again it has become a source of serious tension in Judea and Samaria. The dispute centers on land and ownership. Israelis and Palestinians both claim rights to certain areas and olive groves, and accusations of trespassing, unauthorized harvesting, vandalism, and destruction of trees have increased.
Foreign activists have also entered the area to assist Palestinians with the harvest and become involved in the confrontations. Several were arrested and removed from Israel after clashes intensified. Unfortunately, the unrest is not limited to olive groves.
Near Hebron, armed Palestinians approached an Israeli checkpoint, and a firefight followed. Two IDF soldiers were tragically killed, as were the Palestinian attackers. Emergency personnel reportedly could not reach the wounded for nearly 20 minutes because of the continuing gunfire.
Israeli officials are concerned that these incidents could signal a larger wave of violence surrounding the election. There are many forces that would like to disrupt Israel at this critical moment, which is why the days surrounding this election deserve our prayers and close attention.
Saudi Arabia and the Houthis
The instability is also spreading elsewhere in the Middle East. Houthi forces have increased their attacks against Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government, creating enough concern that U.S. embassy personnel and their families are being evacuated from Saudi Arabia. The Houthis continue to pose a serious security problem for the region, while Iran benefits from instability among its rivals.
Saudi Arabia faces the difficult task of protecting its cities, infrastructure, and oil interests while also trying to counter the growing Houthi threat. Once again, Iran's influence can be seen behind another regional conflict.
Europe Faces Growing Riots
Europe is also experiencing serious unrest. What began in places such as France and Belgium as demonstrations over economic conditions and inflation has developed into widespread violence involving a mixture of political causes, including pro-Palestinian and anti-government movements.
France has been particularly hard hit. More than a thousand police officers have reportedly been injured, while businesses have suffered destruction and looting. Authorities have responded with curfews, restrictions on public demonstrations, and additional security forces.
Another major protest is scheduled for this weekend, and officials are preparing for the possibility of more violence. Italy and Belgium are also trying to prevent similar unrest from spreading. Beyond the immediate destruction, these riots are forcing European nations to confront difficult questions surrounding immigration, integration, public safety, and the ability of governments to maintain order. People in the United States are watching as well, wondering whether some of the same problems could eventually appear here.
Be Strong and Faithful
When we look at Israel, Iran, Gaza, Judea and Samaria, Saudi Arabia, and Europe, the picture can seem bleak. But Yeshua warned us that days of conflict would come. He spoke of nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom. We should not be surprised when we see turmoil not only between nations but increasingly within nations themselves.
For believers, this is not a time to panic. It is a time to pay attention. It is a time to pray for Israel. It is a time to pray for our own nation and its leaders. And it is a time to understand that the choices nations make today can have consequences far into the future.
Israel will soon make one of those choices at the ballot box, and Americans will also be voting on November 3. Most importantly, we must remember the biblical admonition to be strong and courageous. Courage is inseparable from faithfulness. In uncertain days, God's people are called to remain steadfast.
So continue to watch. Continue to pray. And above all, continue to be strong and faithful.
Shabbat Shalom.