Ben-Gvir Refuses Surplus Deal With Winter, Citing 'Bennett 2'
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared he will not sign a surplus agreement with Ofer Winter's party, calling Winter "Bennett 2." This refusal could leave both parties without a deal, unlike other blocs that have finalized arrangements. Agreements are in place within Netanyahu's bloc and the opposition has also organized its surplus deals. Otzma Yehudit claims Likud is trying to weaken them by refusing a deal.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir refused a surplus agreement with Ofer Winter's party, calling him 'Bennett 2'.
- The refusal could leave both Otzma Yehudit and Winter's party without a surplus deal.
- Netanyahu's bloc has already signed surplus agreements between Likud and Religious Zionism, and Shas and UTJ.
- The opposition bloc has finalized surplus deals between Yash and Democrats, and Yisrael Beiteinu and Achva.
- Otzma Yehudit alleges Likud is attempting to weaken Ben-Gvir's party by refusing a surplus deal.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir announced Tuesday that he will not sign a surplus agreement with Ofer Winter's "Am Israel" party. Ben-Gvir stated on his X account that Winter is "Bennett 2," and therefore his party, Otzma Yehudit, will not sign the agreement.
Surplus agreements, which allow parties to transfer excess votes to each other to maximize Knesset seats, are crucial for electoral strategy. Within Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's bloc, agreements have already been signed between Likud and the Religious Zionism party, and between Shas and United Torah Judaism. If Ben-Gvir and Winter do not reach a deal, both parties risk being left without one.
In contrast, the opposition bloc has already finalized its arrangements. About a month ago, surplus agreements were signed between Gadi Eisenkot's "Yash" and Yair Golan's "Democrats," as well as between Avigdor Lieberman's "Yisrael Beiteinu" and Naftali Bennett's "Achva."
Following the Likud-Religious Zionism agreement last week, Otzma Yehudit issued a statement expressing regret that Likud refused to sign a surplus deal with them. The party claimed this was an attempt by Likud to diminish Otzma Yehudit and exclude Ben-Gvir from a unity government planned with Eisenkot, echoing sentiments previously expressed by former Labor MK Eli Goldschmidt.
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