Key Candidate Quits Ofer Winter's Party Amid Election Fears
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Dovidi Ben Zion, a leading candidate for Ofer Winter's Am Israel party, resigned just two weeks before the election due to low poll numbers and the risk of wasting votes. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich welcomed his decision, urging others to follow and arguing Winter's independent run harms the right-wing bloc. The Am Israel party accused Ben Zion of resigning under pressure and threats. Winter's party, which initially showed promise, has seen its support decline amid controversies and a Likud campaign against it.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Dovidi Ben Zion resigned from Ofer Winter's Am Israel party citing low poll numbers and vote wastage.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich welcomed Ben Zion's departure and urged others to leave Winter's party.
- The Am Israel party claimed Ben Zion resigned due to intense pressure and threats against him and his family.
- Ofer Winter's party, initially polling well, has seen declining support amid controversies and a Likud campaign.
- The resignation occurs less than three weeks before the Knesset elections on October 27.
- Netanyahu compared Winter to former PM Naftali Bennett, warning against splitting the right-wing vote.
Dovidi Ben Zion, a prominent candidate and deputy head of the Samaria Regional Council, announced his departure from Ofer Winter's Am Israel party on Tuesday, just two weeks before the upcoming Knesset elections. Ben Zion cited the party's low polling numbers, currently at 1.8% and far below the 3.25% electoral threshold, as the primary reason for his decision, expressing concern over wasting votes.
In his resignation statement, Ben Zion affirmed his continued belief in Winter's vision but stated he could not risk votes being lost. He explained that his military experience taught him that the mission comes before personal considerations. Ben Zion's departure was welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party, both of whom have been critical of Winter's independent run, arguing it endangers the right-wing bloc. Netanyahu urged other party members to follow suit, while Smotrich called on Winter himself to withdraw.
The Am Israel party reacted angrily to Ben Zion's resignation, alleging that he and his family faced significant pressure and threats. The party stated, "We regret the pressure, threats, and harassment of the children and family." This follows a recent campaign by the Likud party against Winter's party, with Netanyahu comparing Winter to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and warning that votes for the Am Israel party could inadvertently benefit political rivals.
Winter launched his party in August with initial strong poll numbers, reaching five to six Knesset seats in early surveys. However, support has reportedly declined, coinciding with controversies surrounding his number two candidate, Yosef Haddad, including past statements supporting a two-state solution and withdrawal from Gaza. The party claims these publications were old and that Haddad's views have since evolved.
Despite the current challenges, the article notes that pre-election polls are not always accurate predictors of final results, citing examples of parties like Ra'am and Meretz in 2021 that overcame low poll numbers to enter the Knesset. However, it also points to instances where parties predicted to pass the threshold ultimately failed to do so.
Ben Zion had previously considered resigning due to concerns about the electoral threshold but remained on the list. The Likud party is reportedly attempting to persuade other Am Israel candidates, such as former TV presenter Netali Shem Tov, to defect by offering future positions. Winter's party aims to promote a distinct right-wing agenda, including the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF and support for soldiers.
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