We checked with 11 MKs from different factions their feelings following the expected dispersal of the Knesset • They were asked to respond not only to the degree of frustration in the possibility of not returning to the Mishkan, but also to detail what they managed to do during this period • and: the initiatives and bills that failed to promote • Special project
The MKs elected to the 21st Knesset in April 2019 admit that they are frustrated by the fact that after less than two years they will end their tenure in the coming weeks, if the elections are held early in March 2021. A referendum initiated by Israel Today was attended by 11 MKs All the factions at home.
They were asked to respond not only to the degree of frustration in the face of the possibility that they would not return to the Knesset, but also to detail what they managed to do during this period.
Photo: Knesset Channel
Former Deputy Chief of Staff MK Yair Golan (Meretz): "The frustration is not with the fear that I will not be elected to the Knesset again, but with the disintegration of democracy and the dysfunction of the Knesset, the lack of budget and the lack of priorities in Israel and the fact that many laws are stuck. "The prime minister is not counting his ministers and the corona crisis is not being managed in a normal way."
MK Yaakov Tessler (Torah Judaism): "The feeling of frustration is not as an MK but as a citizen in a country that is repeatedly dragged into the elections. In fact, as a MK, I do not feel worried, because my party will maintain its power in the next elections and even strengthen."
MK Idan Roll (There is a Future) admits: "There is no doubt that I feel exhausted."
MK Alex Kushnir (Yisrael Beiteinu): "I am frustrated by the early elections because many bills and projects I have been working on may go down the drain.
I am disappointed that the government, which promised to be a unity government, caused mainly rifts in Israeli society.
Therefore, it is better to dismantle it and form a new government. "
MK Ophir Sofer (right) says he is frustrated that "the country has entered a political spin and then a health and economic crisis on a scale we did not yet know", and that "unfortunately, the government is failing in its function and function".
MK Tehla Friedman (blue and white): “The frustration is less personal and more national.
The refusal to pass the budget even now, in the midst of the biggest crisis the state has known, is frustrating.
I understand Netanyahu's anxiety about his trial, it's human.
But an entire country cannot be taken hostage. "
MK Ophir Katz (Likud) thinks it is very frustrating to send the citizens to the elections again, so the Likud voted against the dissolution of the Knesset. "I still hope that we will succeed in preventing the unnecessary elections that Blue and White are leading," he said.
Champion (Res.) MK Orna Barbibai (Yesh Atid): "My personal good is irrelevant.
I came to politics because of the desire to influence the agenda in Israel and out of concern for the erosion of democracy and the violation of our norms as a society.
The eruption of the corona has revealed the depth of failed management in all areas, and the price the citizens are paying.
In an amateurishly run country, a change of government is necessary in order to recover. "
MK Hiba Yazbek (joint list): "Frustration is not the right word.
The government is failing to manage the corona crisis and especially towards Arab society, and is pursuing a racist and discriminatory policy.
If we go to the polls, we will work to bring maximum representation to the joint list and to Arab society. "
What did you manage to do during your short tenure, in legislation and in promoting other issues?
MK Uriel Bosso (Shas), who entered the Knesset under Norwegian law only about six months ago, said: "In less than six months I have served in the Knesset, I often deal with bureaucracy related to Corona, such as setting guidelines according to which foreclosures or debtors will be able to withdraw grants. No difficulties on the part of the banks. "
MK Ophir Sofer proudly says that for the first time he succeeded in establishing a committee that deals with the treatment of combat injuries and post-trauma of fighters.
MK Barbibai notes that she has submitted nine bills aimed at benefiting citizens facing the Corona crisis, such as the obligation to establish a national information center for jobs and training in the labor market and open more professions in the IDF to women, "but unfortunately the proposals were rejected by the coalition and the public was harmed." .
MK Mai Golan (Likud): "I have submitted a series of bills, such as a law to prevent boycotts and shaming, the Basic Law on Immigration, a law that will oblige the courts to broadcast the hearings live, and I am proud of the plan I led to rehabilitate infiltrated areas and make them priority areas. Leumit has come to fruition. "
MK Ofir Katz notes that he took it upon himself to work to reduce the gaps in medical services between the periphery and the center. "I am happy that I was able to establish the first brain catheterization center in the Eastern Galilee, the valleys and the Golan Heights and finance NIS 100 million to establish a rehabilitation center in the north.
I am also working to eradicate the phenomenon of abuse of toddlers and I have succeeded in enacting a law to extend the statute of limitations for life, health and nursing insurance, which will help the insured. "
MK Friedman stressed: “There are some issues that I have been able to push forward significantly, such as the fight against violence against women and assisting victims.
Together with the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Social Equality I have been able to advance several issues in legislation, regulations and budgets and most importantly in policy change.
I feel that I have become the representative of the ultra-Orthodox who have no representation in the Knesset, and I help those who want to integrate into employment, studies at the Yeshiva, and even connect to the Internet. "
MK Yair Golan: "My main contribution is in the Education Committee, in an effort to bring the education system back into action."
MK Kushnir notes: "I was able to bring in grants of NIS 4,000 in three beats to lone soldiers and I found a budget source for rent assistance for lone soldiers."
MK Roll: "I led the change in legislation needed to restrict the Ministry of Health from closing businesses indefinitely for an epidemiological inquiry. I set up the high-tech lobby and initiated a 'high-tech beginners' project that helped many who lost their jobs find work."
MK Yizbek notes that she has worked for the public rights of her constituents at all levels - welfare, health, employment and issues related to dealing with the corona crisis. “One of the successful struggles I helped was against the closure of child development units.
I also worked to promote the rights of the self-employed in the Corona crisis, such as days of isolation for the self-employed and the eligibility of new businesses for assistance. "
MK Tessler: "In my role as chair of the Public Inquiries Committee, I have focused on providing help and assistance to thousands of applicants from all sectors, such as lowering water and cellular prices during the closures, student distress and bringing in daycare assistants. Unfortunately, coalition struggles have almost completely prevented private legislation."
Scattering Laws: Unrealized Plans and Initiatives
The cessation of the MKs' activities due to the dissolution of the Knesset and the early election interrupts many initiatives and plans formulated by them. The MKs were asked to reply: Which initiatives and bills they wanted to promote will not be enough to promote due to the shortening of the Knesset?
MK Ofir Katz: "One of the issues I want to promote is expanding the grounds for disqualifying terrorists who support terrorism in the Knesset."
MK Friedman: "I really wanted to work for Jerusalem, our capital, which is not always on our minds.
I have a lot of great proposals, some of which I have already submitted to the Knesset, but we will not be able to discuss and approve them if the elections are brought forward. "
MK Yair Golan: "I had a dream to deal with a new recruitment law, the Liva Education Law for All Israeli Children, the Civil and Military Service Law for all Israeli citizens, but unfortunately in the current political reality it is impossible to promote it."
MK Roll says optimistically: "I am sure I can continue my work in the next Knesset as well.
"I have no doubt that the power of Yesh Atid will only increase, because we are the only party that worked for the citizens and was not satisfied with empty statements or quarrels over jobs and honors."
MK Kushnir says that the "lone soldier" law he initiated did not go to the polls due to the early elections: "I hope that after the elections I can get it approved."
MK Bosso hopes that in the next Knesset he will be able to promote the Interns Act, which has received support from all House factions: "The bill is intended to help thousands of interns who have had difficulties in their certification exams, and some have suffered mental crises as a result."
MK Yazbek: "The Knesset has not yet dispersed, so it is not too late to try.
In the coming weeks, an initiative to eradicate poverty will be held in the Knesset on my own initiative, and a bill will be introduced to encourage representation of women in Knesset elections, through an economic incentive for parties that include at least one woman in every three places on their lists. "
