Likud Party Fears New Polls Could Sink Ofer Vinter Below Threshold

A new internal poll has reportedly caused significant consternation within the Likud party, suggesting that Ofer Vinter's political aspirations may fall short of the electoral threshold. According to sources close to the matter, the survey, which is being presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior campaign officials, indicates Vinter is not expected to pass the minimum vote requirement to enter the Knesset. However, the poll shows him close enough to the threshold to potentially siphon off two to three seats from the right-wing bloc if he remains in the race.

Senior figures within the Likud campaign are quoted expressing concern that Vinter "has no chance to pass" and "will burn votes." They reportedly believe that continued pressure and his weakening standing in the polls might convince Vinter to abandon his candidacy. The party's strategy, as described by campaign insiders, involves repeatedly emphasizing that Vinter's party, "Am Israel," is unlikely to cross the electoral threshold. The goal is to erode support for him among right-wing voters and prevent his movement from gaining momentum as the election approaches.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly even questioning whether Vinter should automatically be counted as part of the broader right-wing bloc. This internal debate within Likud centers on whether Vinter poses a direct threat that warrants an aggressive campaign against him, or if a strategy of sustained pressure will be sufficient to keep him below the required electoral threshold.

Despite these internal concerns, Likud officials like Miki Zohar maintain an optimistic outlook, stating that their own polls show the Likud party at 28 seats and expect to gain strength as the election nears. Zohar asserted that voters often return to Likud after considering their options, a pattern he believes was evident in recent elections where polls differed from final results.