When an Israeli citizen heads to the polling booth, their decision is typically shaped by two key factors: ideology and performance. While ideology is deeply personal, rooted in individual beliefs and values, and therefore resistant to objective analysis, performance is a different beast entirely.
Examining the reality of governance through the lens of execution leaves no room for interpretation. The numbers tell a stark story, and for the current Israeli government, those figures paint a picture of resounding failure across the board. This isn’t a case of bad luck or a fleeting downturn; it’s the symptom of a profound, structural imbalance. The sheer size of the government has ballooned into an unsustainable burden, crippling both the Israeli economy and its society.
This fiscal strain extends far beyond the wastage of colossal budgets, redundant ministries, and appointments handed out to mates. The most damaging consequence of this overinflated structure is the chronic inefficiency it engenders. In the very heart of the “Start-Up Nation” – a country synonymous with entrepreneurship, innovation, agility, and efficiency – we find ourselves governed by a colossal, stagnant, and cumbersome state apparatus.
The age-old parable of “The Fat Man and the Thin Man” has never felt more apt or more alarming. The “Fat Man,” representing the bloated public sector and its suffocating bureaucracy, grows heavier by the day. Meanwhile, the “Thin Man” – the private sector, the nation’s entrepreneurs, and its diligent taxpayers – is buckling under the immense pressure, teetering on the brink of collapse, unable to carry the ever-increasing load.
Reorienting Government: From Burden to Enabler
Instead of the government serving its citizens and facilitating progress, the Israeli citizen has effectively become a servant to a bureaucratic machine that actively stifles creativity, hinders development, and impedes prosperity. To steer away from this perilous course, a fundamental shift in mindset is required at the highest levels of government.
The public is weary of politicians whose primary focus is merely getting elected, whose entire political vision begins and ends with the coveted title of “minister” or a seat in the Knesset. A politician solely driven by the ambition to be elected is not a leader. A true leader understands that securing the electorate’s trust at the ballot box is merely the initial hurdle; the real, arduous work commences the very next morning.
What’s needed are individuals driven by action, whose internal compass and aspirations are geared towards improvement, construction, and problem-solving, rather than chasing fleeting media accolades.
Unlocking the Market: Removing Economic Obstacles
Streamlining the government is only one half of the equation. The other, equally vital component, is the deliberate opening of markets and the dismantling of restrictive barriers that encumber the economy and the Israeli public. This is not an unproven concept; it’s a tangible achievement that has been realised before, demonstrating its effectiveness.
During a previous tenure in the Knesset, a meticulously crafted list of reforms was presented, specifically designed to foster market competition and establish a truly free economy. When one approaches such challenges with a clear plan and a defined destination, the path to breaking down existing barriers becomes evident.
Despite the inherent conservatism of regulators, the entrenched influence of special interest groups, and the misguided socialist leanings of some politicians who fail to grasp the mechanics of economic growth, significant support was garnered from then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman. In the brief period the government remained cohesive, a series of major structural changes were successfully implemented.
This vital work did not cease. Currently, a substantial collection of fully drafted, actionable reforms sits ready for implementation. These plans are designed to reduce the cost of living, liberalise the market, and dramatically simplify the public sector. These concrete proposals are waiting for their opportune moment.
The intention is to resume this critical work precisely where it was left off. In the upcoming term, these meticulously prepared plans will translate into tangible financial benefits, directly impacting the pockets of Israel’s working and productive citizens.
An Optimistic Outlook: Harnessing Citizen Potential
Despite the current challenging circumstances, a profound sense of optimism prevails, grounded in the daily reality of living and interacting with the Israeli people. Meeting citizens every single day reveals the immense strength, resilience, and inherent talent that permeates this nation. Israelis are intelligent, capable, and fundamentally driven by good intentions. The untapped potential residing within each citizen is virtually limitless.
By systematically removing the bureaucratic impediments and governmental obstacles that stand in their way, and by empowering every citizen to realise their full capabilities without the hindrance of excessive taxation and stifling regulation, Israel is poised for continued growth, significant leaps forward, and unprecedented prosperity.
It is time to return the reins of the state to its citizens and transform the government from a cumbersome, deadweight system into a dynamic engine of growth, propelling the nation towards a brighter future.
The author is a former Member of the Knesset and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
