Likud Threatens Defamation Lawsuit Against Ofer Winter Amid Escalating Right-Wing Feud

The political conflict within Israel's right-wing bloc has intensified as the Likud party threatened a defamation lawsuit against former IDF General Ofer Winter. The dispute erupted after Winter accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle of being "disconnected from the ground" and relying on "fictitious polls." Winter further alleged at a conference that private investigators had been sent to his home, a claim the Likud vehemently denied, calling it a "complete lie" and demanding a retraction.

Winter specifically targeted Netanyahu's advisors, stating they were giving the Prime Minister "bad advice" and misinterpreting the sentiment of the right-wing camp based on biased polling. He questioned why he was being attacked if, as Likud claimed, the right-wing bloc already had a sufficient majority without his support.

Behind the scenes, sources indicate that Netanyahu has decided to escalate the campaign against Winter. A primary concern for Likud is Winter's potential to form an alliance with Avigdor Lieberman, especially since Winter has refrained from attacking Lieberman while criticizing other figures like Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett. This has fueled speculation within Likud about Winter potentially joining a future government, possibly as Defense Minister.

Despite Likud's threats, Winter later attacked Lieberman at a conference. However, Winter's party expressed frustration with Netanyahu's approach, arguing that their current strategy appeals to voters from other blocs and that Likud's attacks might force them to "shift rightward," potentially jeopardizing their ability to pass the electoral threshold.

In response to Winter's claims about private investigators, the Likud issued a strong statement calling it a "complete lie" and demanding a retraction. The party warned that failure to do so would result in a defamation lawsuit. The Likud also criticized Winter for attacking the right-wing instead of focusing on opposing left-wing parties and potential coalition partners like Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Lieberman, and Arab parties.