Likud Weighs Response to Ofer Winter's Entry Ahead of Elections

The Likud party is reportedly strategizing how to counter the potential impact of Ofer Winter, a new figure on the political scene, as election campaigns begin. Leaked details from Likud's first campaign meeting suggest the party views Winter as a significant factor, with some likening him to "Kaplan's hope." While no official decision has been made, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has heard various proposals on how to address Winter's presence.

During the meeting, Likud member Yaakov Bardugo reportedly advised that if the party intends to sideline Winter, it should do so immediately, drawing a parallel to the past handling of Naftali Bennett's political ascent. Bardugo cautioned against a last-minute approach, which he believes proved problematic previously.

Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz expressed concern in a separate interview that Winter's party could harm the right-wing bloc. Katz outlined two scenarios: either Winter's party will draw votes away from the right, failing to secure Knesset seats, or Winter himself might shift his allegiance after the elections. "Winter will harm the right-wing camp, whether he burns votes or does what Bennett did and moves to the other side," Katz stated, adding that he believes Winter will be detrimental to the right regardless of whether his party crosses the electoral threshold.