Am Israel Party Leader Slams 'Despicable' Campaign After Candidate Withdraws
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel Party, fiercely criticized the right-wing for pressuring his party members, leading to candidate Davidi Ben Zion's withdrawal. Winter vowed his party would continue the campaign despite the pressure and Ben Zion's concerns about not passing the electoral threshold. Ben Zion cited fears of wasted right-wing votes as his reason for leaving the race.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel Party, condemned a 'despicable' campaign against his party.
- Winter accused right-wing elements of pressuring his party members, causing withdrawals.
- Candidate Davidi Ben Zion withdrew, citing pressure and fear of not passing the electoral threshold.
- Winter vowed the Am Israel Party would continue its campaign and not surrender.
- Ben Zion expressed concern that right-wing votes would be wasted if the party fails to enter the Knesset.
Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel Party, fiercely criticized elements on the right on Tuesday, accusing them of exerting heavy pressure on his party members to withdraw from the election race. Speaking at an election event in Eilat, following the withdrawal of candidate Davidi Ben Zion, Winter described the campaign against his party as "unfathomable," "despicable," and "low," noting that signs were placed near children's school buses and their homes. Winter stated that Ben Zion and his family could not withstand the pressure, which included threats and the placement of signs near their residence. "I understand Davidi, I understand he couldn't stand the pressure, his wife couldn't stand it," Winter said. He directly addressed those responsible, saying, "Shame on them. This is not the way of the right." Despite Ben Zion's departure, Winter vowed to continue the campaign, declaring, "We will go all the way now. We will not surrender in battle. Sometimes there are casualties, there's nothing to do. We will win."
Ben Zion, who was slated to be eighth on the Am Israel Party's Knesset list, explained his withdrawal by expressing concern that the party would not pass the electoral threshold. He indicated that with two weeks remaining until the election, there was a significant risk the list would not enter the Knesset, and he was unwilling for right-wing votes to be wasted.
