Netanyahu's Likud Battles Ofer Winter's Party Ahead of Elections

The political clash between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and the newly formed "Am Israel" party, led by Ofer Winter, has escalated. Despite internal reservations within Likud, the party has decided to continue warning right-wing voters against supporting Winter's party, arguing that such votes could fall below the electoral threshold and be wasted. This warning comes despite recent polls suggesting Winter's party is likely to pass the threshold.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch echoed these concerns, urging right-wing voters to support only parties that are certain to enter the Knesset. Kisch revealed that Netanyahu had held onto several Knesset list spots until the last moment, hoping to facilitate a merger with Winter. Kisch compared the potential failure of Winter's party to cross the threshold to that of Merav Michaeli's left-wing party in 2022, which he believes cost the left votes.

A senior Likud campaign official stated that Winter is currently "pulling votes away from the right and drowning them below the electoral threshold." The official claimed that no internal polls show Winter close to passing the threshold and that his voters are less decisive than those of Likud or Benny Gantz's party. However, the situation is described as a "chicken and egg" scenario, as some of Winter's potential voters are waiting to see if the party gains traction before committing.

In contrast, Winter is expected to respond directly to Likud's attacks at a party event on Tuesday. Sources within Winter's party indicated they would not back down from the confrontation and that Winter would deliver significant statements, potentially intensifying his rhetoric against Netanyahu. The party is prepared for both a conciliatory approach and a direct political fight from Netanyahu, viewing the conflict as an opportunity to strengthen Winter's position rather than deter him.

The escalating dispute is evolving from a battle for votes into a direct personal and political confrontation. Netanyahu aims to prevent further strengthening of the right-wing bloc, while Winter seeks to leverage the attacks to gain a platform and demonstrate resilience.