Ofer Winter Slams Netanyahu-Smotrich Deal as 'Disgrace'
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Candidate Ofer Winter fiercely criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich for their surplus vote agreement, calling it an "unimaginable disgrace." The criticism follows a complex relationship between Likud and Winter's "Am Israel" party during the election campaign. Likud had previously attempted to recruit Winter's second-in-command and later pressured Winter to withdraw. Despite considering a surplus vote deal, Likud has now launched a campaign against Winter, reportedly deeming him outside their political bloc.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ofer Winter called the Netanyahu-Smotrich surplus vote deal an "unimaginable disgrace" and "sheep silence."
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich recently finalized a surplus vote agreement.
- Likud previously attempted to recruit Winter's second-in-command, Yosef Haddad, who refused.
- Pressure was also applied to Winter to withdraw from the election, according to reports.
- Likud has recently launched a paid campaign against Winter's party.
- Sources indicate Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Ben-Gvir view Winter as "not part of the bloc."
Ofer Winter, a candidate, has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich following their agreement on surplus votes. Winter described the deal as an "unimaginable disgrace" and condemned the silence of others, calling it "sheep silence." This strong reaction comes after a period of shifting relations between Netanyahu's Likud party and Winter's list, "Am Israel." Earlier in the election campaign, Likud reportedly tried to persuade Yosef Haddad, Winter's second-in-command, to defect to Likud, an act that could have significantly harmed Winter's electoral prospects. Haddad refused. Subsequently, pressure was applied on Winter himself to withdraw from the race. As Winter's party gained traction in polls, Likud considered a surplus vote agreement with him. However, in recent days, Likud has been running a paid campaign against Winter. According to sources familiar with the matter, the message conveyed in discussions between Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Itamar Ben-Gvir was that Winter is "not part of the bloc."
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