Netanyahu Urges Politicians to Quit Faction Threatening Right-Wing Bloc
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are calling for politicians to withdraw from the "Am Israel" party to prevent damage to the right-wing bloc. David Ben Zion has already resigned from the party, citing concerns about its electoral prospects and potential to lead to a left-wing government. Smotrich specifically urged party leader Ofer Winter to withdraw due to low poll numbers, warning against a left-wing victory.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu urged politicians to withdraw from the "Am Israel" party to prevent a left-wing government.
- Finance Minister Smotrich called on "Am Israel" leader Ofer Winter to withdraw due to poor poll numbers.
- David Ben Zion resigned from the "Am Israel" party, citing concerns for the right-wing bloc.
- Smotrich warned that failing to pass the electoral threshold could lead to a left-wing government.
- The "Am Israel" party claimed Ben Zion faced pressure and threats from unspecified groups.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the resignation of David Ben Zion from the "Am Israel" party, stating that the party's continued participation in elections could harm the right-wing bloc and lead to a left-wing government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed this sentiment, directly calling on Ofer Winter, the party's leader, to withdraw his candidacy based on polling data showing the party failing to pass the electoral threshold.
Netanyahu explicitly voiced concerns about losing the upcoming elections, saying, "I commend David Ben Zion for his important decision to withdraw from Winter's party after realizing that Winter's run endangers the right-wing bloc and will lead to the establishment of a left-wing government." He urged other party members to follow Ben Zion's example to ensure a right-wing victory.
Smotrich, in a detailed statement, also addressed Winter and other party members. He lauded Ben Zion's "brave step of national responsibility" and urged Winter to demonstrate similar "civil courage" by withdrawing given the party's poor poll numbers. Smotrich also called on Eran Ben Ari and Li Darai to "take responsibility" and withdraw, warning against contributing to a left-wing government that would cause "enormous damage" to Israel.
David Ben Zion's departure from the Am Israel party, led by Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, has caused significant political reverberations. The party responded to Ben Zion's resignation by stating that he and his family had faced pressure and threats from unspecified elements who oppose new forces entering politics, adding, "Not everyone can withstand improper and base pressures."
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