Smotrich Urges Right-Wing Unity, Invites Opponent to Meet

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich held a special press conference Thursday, revealing survey data indicating strong support among right-wing voters for a unified bloc ahead of the upcoming elections. With the deadline for list submissions just five days away, Smotrich extended a direct invitation to Ofer Vinter, leader of the "Am Israel" party, for an immediate meeting to advance this merger and prevent vote dilution.

The survey, conducted by Direct Polls among 1,248 adults, showed that 90% of "Am Israel" voters favor a union of right-wing parties. Support for such a merger was even higher among voters of other coalition parties: 95% of Likud voters, 96% of Religious Zionism voters, and 96% of Otzma Yehudit voters.

Smotrich emphasized the critical nature of the coming days, stating, "The coming days will not decide the fate of politicians and parties in Israel, but the fate of the entire State of Israel." He framed the election as a choice between current right-wing leadership and potential leadership by figures like Gantz, Yair Golan, and Mansour Abbas, warning of dire security consequences if the latter were to occur, including a rapid withdrawal of forces from Gaza and Lebanon.