Netanyahu's Plan to Dismantle Ofer Winter's Party Revealed

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly planning to dismantle the newly formed "Am Echad Yisrael" party led by retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, according to reports from the "Main Edition" news program. The Likud party's strategy involves offering Winter a prominent position, specifically second place, on the joint list of the Smotrich-Feiglin faction, which recently announced its unification. In exchange, two of Winter's associates would be placed on the Likud's electoral slate.

Further incentives for Winter include a promise that his faction would unite into an independent bloc after the elections, fulfilling his initial objective. A potential candidate for a reserved spot on the Likud list is Yosef Haddad, Winter's second-in-command, who had previously received a similar offer before joining Winter's party. The Likud may also campaign on the message that Winter risks splitting the right-wing vote if he runs independently.

Despite the reported Likud overtures, Winter has so far firmly rejected any such proposals. He has stated that his party's entry into a future government is contingent on significant changes regarding the conscription of Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) and the treatment of IDF soldiers. Winter declared that his party would not join a government that does not address these issues, even if it means excluding Haredi parties like those led by Moshe Gafni and Yaakov Gonen.

Winter emphasized that his party's goal is not merely to hold seats but to be part of decision-making processes, particularly concerning military conscription. He indicated a desire for a broad government but stressed that his party would not enter without the power to enact its agenda on these key issues, differentiating himself from potential allies like Bezalel Smotrich, particularly regarding the Haredi issue.