Israel’s on the verge of a brutal fight to destroy Hamas; Ukraine remains at war against the Russian invasion; the federal government’s set to shut down in another month; inflation remains too high, and the southern border’s a joke.

And 221 House Republicans can’t settle on a leader.

A week after a disgruntled handful ousted Kevin McCarthy as House speaker, the conference voted Wednesday to make Rep. Steve Scalise his successor — but didn’t actually unite behind him.

He found he couldn’t get the needed 217 GOP votes, and withdrew late Thursday.

Maybe now they’ll unite behind the No. 2 finisher in the caucus vote, Rep. Jim Jordan — or maybe a different minority will block him.

After all, a lot of the gripes over Scalise would put a pack of tween girls to shame, from Scalise didn’t call me (Rep. George Santos, of all people) to We’re rushing too fast (Rep. Michael Cloud) to No one’s leading (Rep. Brian Mast).

It’s beyond pathetic.

And Won’t-Be-Speaker Scalise had some pointed words: “I was very clear we have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs this country is counting on us,” he told reporters.

But “some folks” must “look in the mirror over the next couple of days and decide are we going to get it back on track, or they’re going to try to pursue their own agenda.”

This is no time for the House of Representatives to be paralyzed, nor for the House GOP to be leaderless.

Terrorists just killed 27 Americans (and counting) in Israel; our ally will soon need assistance that the House must authorize.

Ukraine too depends on US assistance to keep fighting the Russian invaders: Are a handful of resentful Republicans going to hand victory to bloody Vladimir Putin?

And GOP-specific efforts on everything from the impeachment inquiry to cutting federal spending to getting some enforcement at the border remain on hold.

One way or another, the conference needs to get its act together, fast — or the grownups will have to cut a deal with Democrats to shut out all the idiots so the nation’s business can proceed.