Likud Campaign Meeting Debates Strategy on Ofer Winter

A heated debate erupted during a Likud campaign meeting regarding the strategy for dealing with Ofer Winter, the chairman of the 'Amcha Israel' party, ahead of upcoming elections. The central question was whether to attack Winter's party immediately or to exercise caution, fearing a political misstep.

Ministers Shlomo Karai and Ze'ev Elkin warned that Winter could alienate potential right-wing voters. Karai argued that Winter represents a threat to the right, stating, "If he wins and passes, he is with the left; if he doesn't pass, he burns votes for us." Elkin echoed these concerns, referencing a report that Sharon Shalom was at Winter's campaign headquarters, suggesting a connection to Avigdor Lieberman and reiterating the dual risk: "If he wins, he is with Lieberman; if we lose, he burned votes."

Yakov Bardugo urged decisive action, stating, "But if we decide to bring him down, then now, not wait until the last moment like with Bennett and let him gain momentum. We need to start now."

However, others were not convinced that confronting Winter was the right move. Erez Tadmor cautioned that attacking Winter might backfire, potentially drawing votes from the opposition. He distinguished Winter from Naftali Bennett, calling Bennett a "scum" but describing Winter as perhaps "megalomaniacal and stubborn, but not scum." Tadmor suggested Winter might even be beneficial by attracting voters who wouldn't otherwise vote for Likud.

Elkin countered that if Winter's goal was to attract voters from the rival camp, he wouldn't have stated he would recommend Netanyahu for prime minister. Tadmor replied that Winter said this under pressure. Elkin pointed out Winter's precise wording, "He said he would 'recommend Netanyahu for president.' He didn't say he wouldn't sit in a government that isn't Netanyahu's." Tadmor responded that Winter needed to "muffle messages a bit."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded the discussion without making a decision, promising, "I will check this and give you a quick answer later."