Israeli Party Leader Vows to Run Until Election, Despite Polls
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Ofer Vinter, chairman of the Am Echad Yisrael party, declared his party will run in the elections regardless of poll results, which show them below the threshold. He intends to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for Prime Minister, but only if his party's demands for decisive action in Gaza and other issues are met. Vinter ruled out sitting with Yair Golan but left the door open for cooperation with ultra-Orthodox parties if they don't hold the balance of power. He believes his party strengthens the right and represents a necessary change.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ofer Vinter's Am Echad Yisrael party will run in elections despite low poll numbers.
- Vinter intends to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for Prime Minister, but conditionally.
- The party demands decisive action in Gaza and other key policy changes.
- Vinter ruled out a coalition with Yair Golan but not with ultra-Orthodox parties.
- He believes his party strengthens the right and offers necessary change.
- Vinter stated his party will not join a government if its demands are unmet.
Ofer Vinter, chairman of the Am Echad Yisrael party, stated in an interview with "Meet the Press" that his party will continue to run in the upcoming elections regardless of poll results, which currently show the party failing to pass the electoral threshold. Vinter reiterated his intention to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for Prime Minister, but emphasized that this support is conditional on Netanyahu meeting his party's demands.
Vinter outlined his party's core demands, including a decisive outcome in Gaza, immigration from Gaza, and the "Servicemembers Law" to ensure equal treatment for soldiers. He stressed that Am Echad Yisrael is not a "blank check" and will not support a government dependent on the "61st finger" of the ultra-Orthodox parties. Vinter explicitly ruled out sitting with Yair Golan but did not dismiss the possibility of cooperating with the ultra-Orthodox parties, provided they do not hold the balance of power.
Responding to concerns about his party potentially causing the right-wing bloc to lose votes, Vinter argued that Am Echad Yisrael strengthens the right and represents a necessary change from the status quo. He criticized the current government's handling of the war and post-war strategy, particularly the lack of a decisive outcome in Gaza and the absence of a clear immigration policy.
Vinter also addressed criticism from Prime Minister Netanyahu, who suggested Vinter's party might "go to the other side." Vinter dismissed this, asserting his commitment to the right-wing agenda and stating that his party is fighting for the Israeli people, not for any individual leader. He declared that if his demands are not met, his party will not be part of any government, even if it leads to new elections.
Regarding potential coalition partners, Vinter criticized Gadi Eisenkot's proposed government as a "danger to Israel" due to its left-wing composition and inclusion of figures like Yair Golan. He also expressed reservations about the ultra-Orthodox parties' influence, particularly their potential to be the "61st finger" determining government policy, but did not outright reject them as partners if they don't hold that decisive position.
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