Samaria Official Quits "Am Israel" Party Ahead of Elections
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Dayidi Ben Zion, Deputy Head of the Samaria Regional Council, has withdrawn from the "Am Israel" party's electoral list just two weeks before elections. Ben Zion cited the party's low poll numbers and a sense of national responsibility as his reasons for leaving. The "Am Israel" party acknowledged pressures faced by Ben Zion, while Bezalel Smotrich and Benjamin Netanyahu praised his decision and urged others to withdraw to safeguard the right-wing bloc.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dayidi Ben Zion, Deputy Head of the Samaria Regional Council, has withdrawn from the "Am Israel" party list.
- Ben Zion cited the party's low polling numbers and a sense of national responsibility for his decision.
- The "Am Israel" party acknowledged alleged pressures and threats against Ben Zion and his family.
- Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised Ben Zion's "national responsibility" and urged others to withdraw.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the party's candidacy endangers the right-wing bloc.
Dayidi Ben Zion, Deputy Head of the Samaria Regional Council and number eight on the "Am Israel" party list, has withdrawn from the electoral race. Ben Zion announced his departure in a Facebook post, citing a sense of national responsibility and the party's low polling numbers as reasons for his decision. He expressed belief in the party's leader, Ofer Winter, describing him as a "true right-wing man, a fighter and commander who dedicated his life to Israel's security." Ben Zion stated that with the elections just two weeks away, the risk of the party failing to pass the electoral threshold was too high, and he did not want the votes of those who believed in the party to be wasted.
Ben Zion, who has been active in reserve duty since the October 7th attacks, emphasized that his decision stems from a belief that "the mission comes before everything else." He affirmed his commitment to continue serving the residents of Samaria and the State of Israel. The "Am Israel" party responded to his departure, acknowledging the pressures and threats he and his family allegedly faced from "elements that simply do not want new and clean forces to enter Israeli politics." The party thanked Ben Zion for his shared journey.
This withdrawal follows earlier reports that Ben Zion was considering leaving the party, despite his earlier denials. The decision also comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the "Am Israel" party, including past remarks by Joseph Haddad regarding a Palestinian state, which have drawn public criticism and contributed to the party polling below the electoral threshold for the first time.
Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance, praised Ben Zion's "brave and difficult step of national responsibility," calling it a continuation of his military and public service. Smotrich urged other party members to follow suit and withdraw to prevent "wasting votes for the right-wing bloc." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented, supporting Ben Zion's decision and warning that Winter's candidacy "endangers the right-wing bloc and will lead to the establishment of a left-wing government" composed of figures like Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Naftali Bennett, alongside Arab parties. Netanyahu called on other party members to withdraw to ensure a right-wing victory.
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