Netanyahu Warns Smotrich, Ben-Gvir That Ofer Winter Is Threat to Right-Wing Bloc

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met secretly with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Tuesday afternoon in Tel Aviv to discuss election preparations and coordinate political moves. The meeting, first reported by Channel 14's political correspondent Moty Castel, focused on the new "Am Yisrael" party led by retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter.

According to the report, Netanyahu expressed concern that Winter's party poses a "danger to the right-wing bloc." He argued that Winter's party is unlikely to pass the electoral threshold and that any attention given to it is intended to "burn votes." Netanyahu also claimed that even if Winter's party succeeds, it could siphon votes from other right-wing parties, potentially altering the bloc's composition after the election. He emphasized the need for unity to counter this risk.

The meeting occurred amidst political friction over Winter's independent run, following his party's submission of its Knesset list. Winter responded to the report, criticizing Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Ben-Gvir for holding a "secret urgent discussion" focused on thwarting him and his party, rather than addressing critical security issues like defeating Hamas or preventing further abductions.

Winter asserted that the three ministers are also trying to block progress on the service law, the establishment of an inquiry committee, and a decisive outcome in Gaza. He concluded by stating, "It's too late. Am Yisrael is on its way to the Knesset, on its way to the government, and on its way to returning leadership, responsibility, and decision-making to the country. What was will not be."