There will be war

Nearly two years after the social justice protest movement spread like wildfire across the country, some of its organizers are planning to urge the Israeli public to return to the town squares. The recently revealed austerity measures -- attributed to Finance Minister Yair Lapid (who profited politically from the 2011 protest movement more than any other politician) -- could be the catalyst that sparks the protests anew. It is too early to guess how big the protest movement will become this time around, because it is too early to tell how much disappointment has seeped into the public's hearts. Especially into the hearts of those who voted for Lapid's party Yesh Atid.

At its core, the social justice protest movement played an important role in removing the thick layer of mold that Israeli society had begun to grow. Up until the protest movement, Israelis accepted every measure derived from what is known as "greedy capitalism" as though it were the Torah. The tycoons used the public's pension savings to fund their private business pyramids as though it was their own money. The powerful port workers unions shut down the gates to the country every time they were required to contribute to the national effort. And of course there is the scandal surrounding the Israel Electric Corporation deficit.

But the protest movement didn't just focus its frustration on these bodies. It also made demands for better quality of life. All the demands were justified, but when former Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz voiced doubts as to the feasibility of fulfilling all of them to the fullest, even in accordance with the recommendations of the government appointed Trajtenberg committee, the public rejected his hesitation with thin excuses and heaped billions of shekels in expenses on the national budget. The education system alone received 11 billion shekels ($3.1 billion).

Everyone is justified. Everyone is worthy. Everyone is even essential. But Lapid's famous campaign question -- "Where's the money-" -- was not worded correctly. He should have asked, "Where will the money come from-"

Now, he is forced to dip into his voters' pockets, raising a political and ethical problem. There are two ways to help the needy: Give them a fish, and they'll eat for a day, or teach them to fish and they'll eat for a lifetime. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu usually prefers teaching people to fish, but after the protests of 2011, he fell into the trap of the easy solution and started handing out fish. The social justice protest movement prompted the government to spend irresponsibly, without having the necessary income.

On Thursday, Lapid found himself in an embarrassing situation where his broken promises from the start of the protest movement were hurled at him in a demonstration in front of his home. It was inevitable. If he wants to succeed, he has to speak to the protesters at eye level and remain steadfast. He mustn't break. It is essential, it is necessary, but it is not enough.

Before doing anything else, he needs to address the massive economic distortion caused by the leniency tycoons are granted by the banks, which forgive billions in debt without taking over the business pyramids. He needs to address the issue of powerful workers' unions that are blocking any attempt at reform.

If Lapid gave in on this front in his negotiations with Histadrut labor federation Chairman Ofer Eini, he must go back on his agreement. As he said two weeks ago, and as Netanyahu said when he served as the determined finance minister in the government of Ariel Sharon: If war is required, there will be war.

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