Smotrich Slams Winter for Refusing Unity Deal, Citing 'Disappointment'

Ofer Winter has decided to run independently in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections, rejecting a unity agreement. Representatives from his party, "Amcha Yisrael" (The People of Israel), submitted their candidate list to the Central Elections Committee chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, and requested the Hebrew letter 'ך' for their ballot.

The Elections Committee clarified that the submission and the requested letter would be examined according to law and do not constitute final approval.

Following the list's submission, Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party and Minister of Finance, criticized Winter. Smotrich asserted that Winter refused to negotiate with parties within the "national camp." According to Smotrich, the only beneficiaries of Winter's refusal to unite would be Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, Supreme Court Justice Yitzhak Amit, and the left-wing bloc.

Smotrich further stated that Winter's "stubborn refusal" of any unity proposal is "disappointing" and "casts a heavy shadow over his judgment and the credibility of his promise" to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu and commit to the national camp. He concluded that "a true right-winger does not take a risk this time."