Smotrich Slams Media for 'Inflating' Rival, Warns of Leftist Government

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich launched a sharp attack on Ofer Winter, chairman of 'Am Israel,' criticizing his refusal to join a technical bloc for the upcoming Knesset elections. Smotrich stated in a podcast interview that Winter's chances of passing the electoral threshold are "close to zero" and accused the media of "inflating" him to believe he can succeed, potentially harming the right-wing bloc. Smotrich revealed that numerous individuals, including Winter's former military colleagues and close friends, had attempted to persuade him to make the "responsible and correct move" to unite, offering to let him maintain his faction's identity.

Smotrich also discussed the placement of retired Major General Yossi Bachar in an unrealistic spot on his party's list, revealing he had wanted Bachar in the second position. He explained that Bachar's motivation stemmed from the October 7th attacks and the desire to strengthen Israeli security through settlement expansion in Judea and Samaria, emphasizing the need to "kill the idea of a Palestinian state" to prevent future threats.

Addressing past disputes with Moshe Feiglin of the Zehut party, Smotrich acknowledged their disagreements but stressed that "the State of Israel is a thousand times more important." He defended his decision to sit with ultra-Orthodox parties in the government, despite criticism from some in the religious public, calling it the "correct thing to do" to avoid destabilizing the government during wartime. Smotrich also expressed support for drafting ultra-Orthodox men but insisted it should not be done by force.

Looking ahead, Smotrich voiced strong fears of a potential government led by figures like Yair Golan and Benny Gantz, warning of judicial overhauls, the dismantling of settlements, and the closure of right-wing media and educational institutions. He also criticized internal opposition within the Likud party, which he termed "communists," for blocking his proposed dairy market reform, despite the government's achievements in lowering inflation and housing prices.