Netanyahu Orders Likud Attack on New Party Leader Ofer Winter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed senior Likud officials to publicly criticize Ofer Winter, the chairman of the new "Am Echad Yisrael" party, following a period of deliberation on how to approach the nascent political movement. Netanyahu explained his decision by stating, "It's not certain he will form a government with us." This directive has sparked internal criticism within Likud, with some senior party members warning that opening a front against Winter could be detrimental to the party's electoral prospects.

The decision comes days after reports emerged of internal Likud discussions regarding Winter's political positioning. During these discussions, Channel 14 commentator Yaakov Bardugo, who is slated to be 11th on the Likud list, urged immediate action if the party decided to attack Winter. Minister Shlomo Karai stated that Winter had become a "hope for Kaplan" (referring to anti-government protest movement), suggesting Winter was either aligned with the left or detrimental to Likud's vote count. Minister Eli Cohen described Winter as a "damage to the right."

Earlier this month, before party lists were finalized, Winter claimed in private conversations that Netanyahu had offered him three reserved spots on the Likud slate to join forces. Netanyahu reportedly told Winter that young voters were not supporting him, citing misleading public polls and asserting that young people were aligning with Netanyahu instead. Winter, however, countered that he could contribute to a "victory for the bloc" and urged Netanyahu not to oppose him.

Currently, Winter is refusing to merge with Likud and remains committed to running independently.