The members of the 20th Knesset were sworn in on Tuesday, but the legislative wheels are going to turn slowly for the time being. Activity will intensify once the coalition takes shape and a government is formed. Coalition members who fail to get a cabinet portfolio can assume various parliamentary posts. Likewise, certain functions will go, almost by default, to the opposition. For example, the opposition will get to run the State Control Committee and is guaranteed a seat on the Judicial Appointments Committee. Because of the ongoing fog of the coalition negotiations, there is no clear indication as to which parties will remain in the opposition. Only after the government is sworn-in will the Knesset be able to perform its routine duties. Successes will essentially go unnoticed, but failures will be amplified many times over. Why? Because this is just what the media does in a democracy. The public doesn't expect much from its representatives. But change can be effected if proper leadership emerges, one that transcends parties. This was the case in the past Knesset when lawmakers joined forces to promote gender equality. If lawmakers work together they can pass several measures: • A mandatory core curriculum for all Israel high schools. To ensure cohesion as a society and to allow Israelis to compete as equals on the world stage, we must set a basic threshold for high school math and English. Because our nation is a fusion of many cultures, traditions and religious backgrounds, the way we teach the Bible, rabbinic literature and modern poetry must be acceptable to everyone. Subject matter that deals with scripture and spirit must make everyone comfortable. It should emerge from the bottom up rather than imposed from the top down. Successive Knessets have refused to make the core curriculum a reality (they were simply too scared), and by doing so they did a disservice to all young Israelis. • Parties must iron out their differences -- perhaps even reach a consensus -- on electoral reforms that enhance governability. The reforms should be introduced and enacted in the first year of the 20th Knesset, although they should take effect only in the 22nd Knesset. Such a slow transition would draw more support and make this legislation possible. Without a long-term strategy and a willingness to see things through, we will see bickering rather than enhanced stability. • The unchecked power of caucuses in the Knesset is borderline corrupt. It could severely undermine its moral fabric. In fact, it appears that organized crime has exploited this reality to make inroads into the Knesset. We need clear cut legislation, backed by an overwhelming majority, to undo this perverted reality. Such a bill must have the support of both the government and the opposition. That said, lawmakers would be wise to form a caucus whose mission would be to protect the judiciary and the High Court of Justice in particular. Those who undertake this mission would be well served by bringing opposition members on board, in large numbers. If all those goals are realized (or at least the majority of them), we would be able to say "Dayenu" -- it is sufficient.
