Israeli TV Anchor Predicts Netanyahu Will Back Controversial Candidate

Eliraz Sade, an anchor for i24, suggested on Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon shift his strategy to support Ofer Winter, a candidate who has been sharply criticized by Netanyahu's Likud party. Sade predicted that Netanyahu will launch a campaign in favor of Winter, despite recent attacks from Likud questioning Winter's ability to pass the electoral threshold. Other commentators share Sade's view, believing that if Netanyahu perceives Winter as a serious contender, he will cease his criticism and aid Winter's campaign to prevent a loss of votes for the right-wing bloc. This comes as many right-wing activists fear Winter might join Avichai Lieberman after the elections, potentially shifting mandates to the "change bloc." Lieberman himself expressed hope earlier on Tuesday that Winter would pass the electoral threshold and join his bloc. A recent poll by Channel 12 indicated Winter receiving only 1.5% of the vote, failing to cross the threshold.