Netanyahu Confident of Election Victory if Winter Withdraws

Senior figures within the Likud party are reportedly concerned about the independent political run of retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, and are strategizing to encourage his withdrawal from the race before election day. According to a report by Maariv correspondent Anna Bar-ski, the Likud's current approach is to weaken Winter publicly and electorally, hoping he will conclude he cannot pass the electoral threshold and decide to step down.

The party is relying on internal data suggesting such a withdrawal could significantly alter the political landscape. Sources familiar with the data indicate that internal polls presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates show Winter's departure would shift votes back, giving the right-wing bloc a majority of 61 to 62 Knesset seats. Likud insiders confirm this sentiment, believing Winter's exit is key to an election victory. "Many in the Likud still believe that if Winter withdraws, they will certainly win the election," they stated.