Protesters Leave Mock 'Thank You' Flowers at Ex-General Ofer Winter's Home

Right-wing activists protested outside the home of former Brigadier General and "Am Israel" party chairman Ofer Winter late Tuesday night, leaving a bouquet of flowers with a sarcastic note. The activists placed the flowers at the entrance to Winter's home in the northern town of Mitzpe Netufa, with a card that read, "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Gali Baharav-Miara," the current Attorney General.

The activists stated their protest was against Winter's decision to run independently in the upcoming elections. They argued that his "Am Israel" party might not pass the electoral threshold, causing votes to be wasted and potentially harming the right-wing bloc's chances of forming a government. "Friends, you have the wrong address," the "Am Israel" party responded. "Flowers should be sent to those who for four years did not send a dismissal letter to the Attorney General and preferred to surrender to her. Those who for four years could not remove Gali Baharav-Miara from her position can continue to deal with gimmicks and flowers while we make changes."

The protest follows Winter's submission of the "Am Israel" party list for the Knesset, closing the door on potential mergers with other parties before the election. Prior to the list submission deadline, Winter faced pressure from within the right-wing camp to unite with other parties. Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich criticized Winter's decision, calling it a gamble that could jeopardize the right-wing's hold on power and mentioning Baharav-Miara as someone who might benefit from Winter's refusal to unite.

Winter rejected the criticism, stating he would not engage in fear-mongering. He asserted that the public desires fresh faces in politics and presented his party as aiming to bring new energy to the right-wing movement and the Knesset.