Likud MK Urges Potential Right-Wing Candidate Ofer Winter to Withdraw

Member of Knesset Moshe Saada of the Likud party has publicly urged former IDF Brigadier General Ofer Winter to withdraw from a potential run in right-wing politics, warning that Winter's candidacy would "crush the right." Saada made the remarks during an interview on "The Five O'Clock Edition" with Cyril Amar, expressing concern that Winter's entry into politics could harm the right-wing bloc.

Saada drew a parallel to the political trajectory of Ayelet Shaked, another right-wing politician, who he claimed also overestimated her support based on internal polls and ultimately failed to achieve significant electoral success. He stated that Shaked had previously offered him a spot on her list, believing her internal polls indicated she would surpass the electoral threshold, but she ultimately received only 150,000 votes, falling short of the 156,000 needed to enter the Knesset. Saada asserted that Winter's internal polls are similarly misleading and that his candidacy would not only fail to pass the threshold but would also damage the broader right-wing movement.

Saada also revealed that the Likud party had made significant offers to Winter, including placing him in a distant spot on the party's electoral list, to accommodate him. Saada, who secured the 10th position in the Likud primaries, stated he agreed to move further down the list to make room for Winter.

Additionally, Saada commented on recent reserved spots within the Likud, welcoming the prime minister's decisions and expressing his own ambition to serve as Justice Minister, though he deemed it secondary to the immediate need for the party to win the upcoming elections. He also offered his support to Yaakov Bardugo, who received a reserved spot, describing him as a worthy lawyer but noting the significant difference between legal commentary and parliamentary work.