Protesters Leave Mock Wreath for Ofer Winter, Citing Legal Advisor

Right-wing activists left a sarcastic floral wreath at the home of Ofer Winter, a political candidate, with a message ostensibly from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. The protest aimed to pressure Winter, who is running independently under the "Am Israel" list, against splitting the right-wing vote. Activists warned that his separate run could cause the loss of votes, potentially preventing the right-wing bloc from forming a government.

The protesters intended the "gift" from the Attorney General to imply that political rivals and the legal system would benefit from a divided right. Winter responded to the gesture in a video, dismissing the wreath as a "clown" trying to exploit "Am Israel." He criticized his detractors, stating that if they had focused on reforming the justice system instead of "nonsense and gimmicks," Baharav-Miara would no longer be in her position.

Winter's independent run follows failed attempts by parties like the Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, and the Otzma Yehudit party, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, to recruit him. Smotrich and Avi Maoz of Otzma Yehudit reportedly offered Winter the second spot on their joint list, but the deadline for submitting party lists has passed, solidifying Winter's independent candidacy.

Additionally, dozens of rabbis from the Religious Zionist community, including Rabbi Elyakim Levanon and Rabbi Shvutai Sabato, published a letter urging Winter to "take responsibility" and join Smotrich's unity initiative. They cautioned him against taking risks that could harm "all of Israel," echoing earlier pressure from figures like Rabbi Yigal Levinstein.