Likud Warns of Ofer Vinter's Potential to Split National Votes

A senior Likud official has voiced concerns that Ofer Vinter's new party could siphon crucial votes from the national camp, potentially jeopardizing election prospects. During a Likud campaign meeting, Vinter's party was presented as a significant threat to vote consolidation within the right-wing bloc. The official questioned Vinter's strategy, suggesting that if his aim was to attract voters from the center-left, his public statements endorsing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be counterproductive, as they might alienate potential supporters.

Further debate centered on Vinter's precise wording, specifically his statement that he would "recommend Netanyahu to the president," which was interpreted by some as a strategic ambiguity. Critics argued this phrasing did not definitively rule out Vinter serving in a government not led by Netanyahu, suggesting a calculated attempt to maintain flexibility. However, others countered that Vinter's statement was simply a way to "soften messages" under pressure, though this explanation did not fully convince all attendees.

Prime Minister Netanyahu presented an optimistic outlook during the meeting, citing internal Likud data that indicated an advantage for the national camp and his party. While the specifics of this data were not publicly disclosed, Netanyahu asserted that the current coalition would form the basis for the next government. He acknowledged the possibility of incorporating additional parties that align with the coalition's core principles, but stressed this would not involve the exclusion of existing partners.

This stance sends a clear message to Itamar Ben-Gvir, indicating Netanyahu's intention not to remove him from the government as a prerequisite for adding new partners. Additionally, Netanyahu addressed the potential for the opposition to court the ultra-Orthodox parties after the election, warning that "the left will give them everything on a white paper." Likud aims to maintain its partnership with these parties in forming the subsequent government.