Samaria Official Quits "Am Israel" Party Over Election Threshold Fears
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Daydi Ben Zion, Deputy Head of the Samaria Regional Council, resigned from the "Am Israel" party list due to concerns it would not pass the electoral threshold. The party accused external forces of pressuring Ben Zion and his family. Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich praised Ben Zion's "national responsibility" and urged party chairman Ofer Vinter to also withdraw from the race.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Daydi Ben Zion resigned from the "Am Israel" party list fearing it would not pass the electoral threshold.
- The "Am Israel" party claimed Ben Zion faced external pressures and threats against his family.
- Minister Bezalel Smotrich called Ben Zion's resignation a step of "national responsibility" and "civil courage."
- Smotrich urged "Am Israel" chairman Ofer Vinter to withdraw from the election race.
- Smotrich also called on other national camp figures to withdraw to prevent a "left-wing government."
Daydi Ben Zion, the Deputy Head of the Samaria Regional Council, announced his resignation from the "Am Israel" party's electoral list, citing concerns that the party would not pass the electoral threshold. Ben Zion informed Ofer Vinter, the party's chairman, of his decision, which was first reported by Amit Segal on Channel 12 news. Ben Zion explained that he realized there was a real possibility that votes cast for the party would not translate into Knesset seats, stating, "We must not waste voters' ballots."
The "Am Israel" party responded to Ben Zion's departure with a personal tone, but alleged that external pressures were exerted on him and his family. "Dear Daydi, we love you. We regret the pressures, threats, and harassment of children and family that you were forced to endure by elements who simply do not want new and clean forces to enter Israeli politics," the party stated. They added, "Not everyone can withstand improper and despicable pressures like those you and your family faced. Thank you for the shared journey."
Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Religious Zionism party, Bezalel Smotrich, praised Ben Zion's decision as "a brave and difficult step of national responsibility." Smotrich highlighted Ben Zion's military reserve service and public activity, adding that he was now demonstrating "civil courage." Smotrich also used the occasion to call on Vinter to withdraw from the race, urging him to show "civil courage" given the party's low poll numbers. He further appealed to Attorney Eran Ben Ari and Li Drachai to follow Ben Zion's example, warning against the potential for a "left-wing government" that could cause "enormous damage to the State of Israel." Smotrich concluded his remarks with the call, "We do not gamble with Israel's security!"
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