Netanyahu Pressures Small Parties to Withdraw from Election Race
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressuring small parties to withdraw from the election race, offering them junior government positions in return. The campaign targets parties like Ofer Vinter's "Am Yisrael," Ach"i, and Noam. While some parties are reportedly open to discussions, others deny any contact. In a separate development, a deputy council head resigned from Vinter's party amid alleged harassment.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu is pressuring small parties to withdraw from the election, offering them government jobs.
- Ofer Vinter's party and other small factions are targets of Netanyahu's withdrawal campaign.
- Noam party leader Rabbi Tau is reportedly open to discussing withdrawal from the election.
- Noam party has denied receiving any offers or engaging in withdrawal talks.
- Davidi Ben Zion resigned from Ofer Vinter's party due to alleged harassment.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively pressuring smaller parties running for the Knesset to withdraw from the upcoming election, according to a report by Kan News. In exchange for their withdrawal, Netanyahu is expected to offer them junior government positions. The pressure campaign targets not only Ofer Vinter's "Am Yisrael" party but also other small factions, including Ach"i, led by Yuval Elmalech, and Noam, headed by Rabbi Tau and Avi Maoz. Associates of Netanyahu have met with rabbis from these parties, proposing potential roles and government initiatives should he form a new government. Netanyahu is intensifying these efforts, particularly with Noam, to consolidate votes. While Likud sources express optimism regarding discussions with Noam, with Rabbi Tau reportedly open to considering a withdrawal, these talks are in early stages and not yet concrete negotiations. The Noam party, however, has denied any such overtures, stating "nothing happened and nothing was created." The Likud party has not yet responded.
Earlier reports indicated that Likud had offered Vinter five reserved spots on the Likud's Knesset list, four of which were positioned before the 30th slot, in return for him abandoning his independent candidacy. Vinter rejected this offer. In a related development, Davidi Ben Zion, Deputy Head of the Samaria Regional Council, announced his resignation from Vinter's party this week, citing harassment, including hostile signs posted outside his home. Vinter's party expressed regret over the pressures and threats directed at Ben Zion's family.
The article also touches on the broader strategic challenge posed by these smaller parties, noting that the Likud aims to completely sideline Vinter, while the opposition bloc hopes his party will draw votes away from government supporters. Both major blocs, however, have been cautious in their attacks on parties led by Nadav and Zehlik, potentially to secure their support for coalition building.
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