Netanyahu Offered Military Secretary Role to Opponent in 2018

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party are engaged in an aggressive campaign against Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Ich Israel" movement and a former brigadier general. However, it has been revealed that Netanyahu and Winter had a more cooperative relationship in late 2018. At that time, following Avigdor Lieberman's resignation as Defense Minister, Winter, who served as Lieberman's military secretary, was left without a minister. Netanyahu, reportedly clashing with his own military secretary, Avi Bluat, allegedly approached Winter with an offer to replace Bluat.

According to Channel 13 reports, Netanyahu approached Winter on several occasions, offering him the position of military secretary and stating he would dismiss Bluat to make way for him. The offer was ultimately not accepted, and Netanyahu has denied the report. A statement from "Am Ich Israel" indicated that Winter has been offered various positions in the past but has never sought advancement by stepping on others, emphasizing his belief in decisive action and a vote for "Am Ich Israel" to ensure such outcomes with Winter as Defense Minister.

Amidst the current political campaign, sources close to Netanyahu are considering a de-escalation strategy with Winter and his supporters. This potential move aims to secure an excess votes agreement with Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party, preventing a loss of right-wing votes. While some of Netanyahu's advisors support this initiative, the Prime Minister himself reportedly opposes it at this stage.

Recent reports also indicate Netanyahu instructed Likud officials to attack Winter and his associates, with the party officially adopting a line that Winter and Lieberman are conspiring with the left. In response, Winter stated at a rally that he has faced threats and intimidation, criticizing Likud members for attacking his movement, which includes reservists and those who lost loved ones on October 7th, attributing the tragedy to past policy failures. Winter accused Netanyahu's advisors of providing poor counsel and being disconnected from the right-wing political landscape, warning that attacking "Am Ich Israel" is a self-inflicted wound.

Likud swiftly dismissed Winter's claims as false and threatened a defamation lawsuit if he does not retract them. The party argued that Winter should focus on opposing the left rather than harming the right's electoral prospects. "Am Ich Israel" clarified that Winter did not claim Likud sent private investigators after him. Some Likud insiders have privately expressed concern that the confrontation with Winter could cost them votes in the upcoming election.