The fundamental question about the principle of equality in the distribution of the burden in society has taken a central role in initial coalition discussions. After decades of circuitous politics, lacking integrity and courage, we are finally, practically, dealing with this subject. This is a cornerstone; everything stems from it: the future of society, the economy and the state. When we are ready to give up on our basic principles for decades, by way of compromise and minimizing the importance of other excuses, the foundations of society erode. This disintegration could have continued, under the illusion that everything is fine, but we can no longer let it be perpetuated. There is no principle in our cultural heritage that states that those who voluntarily study Torah must not defend the nation or engage in labor. In Israel, one cannot separate military service from the economy and society. If we pile more reserve service on the working sector, we reduce their ability to contribute to the economy. If we allow Torah study to be a reason for exemption from military service, we cajole a large section of the religious sector not to join the workforce. The annual gross domestic product per capita in Israel stands at about $28,000 at current prices. This is very low compared to the OECD average, which is about $35,000. We can reach the OECD average, and if we achieve this level, it would add about 200 billion shekels ($54.2 billion) to the gross national product, which now stands at NIS 929.7 billion ($251.9 billion). This supplement could be used to cope with society's needs and security, without increasing the tax burden on citizens. The goal must be to leverage resources, not to raise taxes or cut budgets. The way to achieve this goal is primarily through increasing participation among the population in the labor force. This requires determination and persistence over several years and a total commitment to do what it takes. The reader may ask how the jobs will be created? The answer is that jobs are created by the commercial sector. The commercial sector has the ability to increase the number of employees beyond the relative population increase. Over the past decade, the population in Israel has grown from 6,748,000 to 7,956,000, an increase of 18 percent. During the same period, the number of workers in the commercial sector increased from 1,605,000 to 2,107,000, an increase of 31%, and commercial production jumped from NIS 388 billion ($105 billion) to NIS 671 billion ($182 billion), a jump of 73%. Instead of creating two separate societies and nurturing them as such, we must create one unified society; this can be done only on the basis of the implementation of the basic principles of equal sharing of the burden and rights. The deformity won't be cut by a single sword. We must provide real opportunities for those who want to work and improve their economic situation, even if they want to continue to study Torah at the same time.
