Ofer Vinter Claims Trump Promised Funds for Gaza Emigration Initiative

Netael Shacham Tov, from the "Am Israel" party led by Ofer Vinter, revealed on Wednesday that Vinter was promised "an open check" from then-President Trump for a proposed immigration directorate. Shacham Tov stated in an interview on Radio Galey Israel that Vinter heard this "explicitly" from Minister Yisrael Katz when Katz allegedly offered Vinter the leadership of the immigration directorate. However, she noted that this funding has not materialized, with explanations given that it "cannot happen."

Shacham Tov criticized politicians for claiming certain actions are impossible, citing legal reforms, voluntary immigration, and conscription laws as examples where she believes action is needed and possible. She also suggested that Mansour Abbas should be joined to the government.

Earlier the same day, Vinter himself responded to a statement from Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, revealing that Katz had indeed offered him the role of heading an immigration directorate during the Gaza war. Vinter stated that while he agreed to the position, believing "there is no decision without voluntary immigration," he demanded "real authority" and presented a detailed plan, after which Katz "ran away."

Vinter further accused Katz of failing to establish the directorate and wasting an "open check" from the US administration. He criticized Katz for installing magnetometers to "satisfy Hamas" and allowing hundreds of supply trucks into Gaza daily, despite Hamas's October 7th atrocities. Vinter concluded by questioning why, three years after October 7th, Hamas has not been eliminated and why the IDF is reportedly prepared while terrorists remain alive in Gaza, urging a shift from current strategy to decisive action.