Israelis are ready to add a second day of rest to their weekly schedule — Sundays.

Following a protracted political debate, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has established a committee to examine the pros and cons of moving the weekend from half a day (on Friday and Saturday) to Saturday and Sunday. Netanyahu’s chief economist, Eugene Kandel, is the chairman of the new committee, which is expected to examine how the move will affect economic productivity in the Jewish state.

The committee was formed after two Likud lawmakers submitted private member bills to make Sunday a weekend day. The concept was also championed by Natan Sharansky when he was part of the government.

The idea of changing the weekend from Friday-Saturday to Saturday-Sunday has angered the Arab community, which comprises approximately 20 percent of the population, since Friday is the Muslim Sabbath. — jta