We came, we saw, we left: Five MKs resign — and speak out

Five outgoing Knesset members from across the political spectrum sat down for an open conversation about parliamentary work, the personal costs, rivalries, and friendships behind the scenes. Former ministers Yaakov Margi (Shas) and Michael Biton (Blue and White), Boaz Toporovsky (Yesh Atid), Sharon Nir (Yisrael Beiteinu), and Moshe Solomon (Religious Zionism) spoke about inefficiency, loss of personal freedom, ideological compromises, and heated discourse, but also about the ability to make an impact.

Five outgoing Knesset members from across the political spectrum gathered for an open conversation at the Knesset, initiated by "7 Days," about their experiences in parliamentary work. The participants: former ministers Yaakov Margi (Shas) and Michael Biton (Blue and White), Boaz Toporovsky (Yesh Atid), Sharon Nir (Yisrael Beiteinu), and Moshe Solomon (Religious Zionism). All chose not to run in the next Knesset election. Margi, after 24 years in politics, said, "There is no pure pleasure like sitting at home and watching how they are being jerked around in the messages." Toporovsky, who resigned three months ago and entered the business world, said he would not miss the inefficiency and loss of personal freedom: "As an MK, you are in a kind of golden cage. You are always a slave to something." Biton said he would not miss MKs who are preoccupied with themselves and shady deals in back rooms. Margi condemned the increasingly aggressive and vulgar discourse over the years. Nir said she would not miss the lies surrounding the conscription law. Solomon noted that he constantly has to market himself. Despite the criticism, all emphasized that one can make a difference as an MK. Margi cited an example of including a hepatitis C drug in the health basket. Toporovsky said that 90% of the time the work is inefficient, but the 3-5% that succeed bring broad change.