Netanyahu Confirms Offer to Ofer Winter, Faces Fierce Criticism from Gadi Eisenkot

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Sunday evening that he had met with Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" party, and offered him a position within the Likud party. Winter, however, chose to pursue an independent political path, a decision Netanyahu expressed concern over, stating, "We are in danger." This statement alluded to fears within Likud about a potential split of right-wing votes due to Winter's independent candidacy in the upcoming elections.

During an interview on Channel 14's "The Patriots" program, Netanyahu also attacked Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar!" party. The "Yashar!" party responded swiftly and harshly to Netanyahu's remarks.

"A disconnected and frightened prime minister sits on 'The Patriots,' and all he has to offer the citizens of Israel after a full term is more and more ridiculous lies against Eisenkot," the party stated. They further accused Netanyahu of being afraid to establish a state commission of inquiry, fearing the public would discover the truth about his decisions regarding the "operation, the conquest of Rafah, the decisions concerning the lives of hostages, who were kidnapped on your failed watch! The strike in Iran, abandoning the north, and cowardice in activating force against Hezbollah on Israeli initiative."

The party also criticized Netanyahu's legacy of draft evasion, even during wartime, and concluded by asserting that Israeli citizens deserve true leadership and will choose it, as "Israel must win, and it will win!"