Israel’s dati leumi politicians are backing an initiative being supported by Minister (Likud) Silvan Shalom, calling for a long weekend in Israel, Shabbos and Sunday. The vice premier promoted the plan in an address to a Po’el Mizrachi forum attended by prominent personalities in the dati leumi camp.
Shalom is confident that accepting the plan would result in a significant reduction in chilul Shabbos since soccer games could be played on Sundays instead of on Shabbos. Shalom also feels that having a day off that is not Shabbos will finally permit shomer Shabbos residents to enjoy many activities which have been closed to them.
Another benefit as he sees it is that by moving the work week to Monday-Thursday will result in a longer school day, compelling the long overdue move of bringing a hot lunch to the nation’s schools. He feels the move is also good for the work sector, placing Israel in sync with the global business marketplace.
Heading the Knesset lobby for a long weekend is MK (HaBayit HaYehudi) Zevulun Orlev, who insists the dati leumi community must spearhead the change, which will undoubtedly result in an increase in Shabbos observance, thereby also strengthening the Jewish character of the state.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Either that or israelis will party for two days straight
(Has anyone ever read the story if you give a mouse a cookie?)
Less workdays = less productivity = less $$$$$
Who is going to fit the bill? The Americans who donate to all the meshulamchim from Israel? Well they work five days a week… Sheishes yomim taaseh melachtecha.. Our society is lazy enough. Let’s not make it worse.
The problem with a four day work week, while great from a religious tolerance perspective (Muslims aren’t thrilled with working Friday, Christians like Sunday off) is cost.
Unless they agree to a substantially long workday, it is a problem that Israelis want both Fridays and Sundays off.
Some might suggest this is similar to Americans who want to buy houses they can’t afford and pay for them with funky loans and creative refinancing.
However four ten-hour days probably wold be as productive as five eight hour days, but given that Israelis aren’t known for productivity, one might worry a bit.