Netanyahu Tells Right-Wing Leaders Ofer Winter Threatens Bloc Stability

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed strong opposition to the potential candidacy of Ofer Winter in the upcoming elections during a meeting with leaders of right-wing parties, according to a report by Moti Castel on Channel 14.

Netanyahu stated that Winter's candidacy poses a significant threat to the stability of the right-wing bloc, arguing that Winter's party, 'Am Israel,' is unlikely to pass the electoral threshold. He believes Winter is running solely to siphon votes from the right-wing camp. "Winter is a danger to the right-wing bloc, he won't pass and they are running him through channels only to burn votes," Netanyahu reportedly said.

Furthermore, Netanyahu warned that even if Winter were to overcome the threshold, he would draw votes away from the right and shift them leftward, potentially enabling the election of Avigdor Lieberman. "Even if he passes, he will take votes from the bloc and transfer them left to crown Lieberman. We need to unite forces to prevent the danger," Netanyahu added, urging for unity.

The meeting with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich occurred amidst weeks of sharp exchanges and accusations between Netanyahu's Likud party and Winter's movement. Previously, there were reports that Netanyahu's circle was considering a ceasefire with Winter to facilitate a surplus vote-sharing agreement between Winter's party and Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party, aimed at preventing wasted votes within the right-wing bloc.

However, Netanyahu's current stance indicates continued opposition to such an arrangement. Winter, in turn, has criticized Netanyahu's advisors, calling them out of touch with the public. Meanwhile, Michael Kleiner, president of the Likud tribunal, published an analysis suggesting that a surplus agreement between Likud and the Religious Zionism party could inadvertently harm Likud, potentially costing it at least half a Knesset seat.