Likud Lawmaker Defends Ofer Winter Amidst Party Attacks

Member of Knesset (MK) Hanoch Milvitzky of the Likud party has publicly defended retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, chairman of the new 'Am Ech Yisrael' party, against attacks from within his own party. Milvitzky stated that the Likud's campaign against Winter is a mistake and urged his colleagues on the right to "leave him alone." He acknowledged that Winter's candidacy at this time might be a misstep but emphasized Winter's status as a "hero of Israel." Milvitzky argued that attacking Winter will not convince him to withdraw, but rather the opposite, citing Winter's military career as evidence. He pleaded with his right-wing colleagues not to turn Winter's campaign into a struggle for victory.

Earlier, senior Likud figures, including Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, had called on Winter to withdraw from the upcoming elections. Ohana expressed concern that Winter's party might not pass the electoral threshold, potentially wasting votes and jeopardizing the right-wing bloc's chances, drawing parallels to the failure of Ayelet Shaked and Naftali Bennett's party in 1992. Ohana stated he had previously called for a union with Winter, but the deadline had passed, and Winter's withdrawal was necessary to ensure Netanyahu remains prime minister.

The 'Am Ech Yisrael' party responded to the Likud's pressure, asserting that the attacks stem from a fear of vote transfers from Likud to their new party. They claimed that Likud's attempts to reserve spots for their senior members had failed. The party declared its intention to remain a significant force and potentially be the surprise of the elections, reminding Likud members that "there is also a day after."