Right-Wing Pressure Mounts on Ofer Winter to Withdraw After Gantz's Exit
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Following Benny Gantz's withdrawal from the upcoming elections, right-wing parties are pressuring Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" list, to also exit the race as his party is polling below the electoral threshold. Ministers Gideon Sa'ar and Netanyahu have urged smaller right-wing parties to withdraw to prevent vote wastage. Winter, however, has stated his party is essential for a decisive right-wing government and shows no signs of withdrawing.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Right-wing parties are pressuring Ofer Winter to withdraw from the elections after Benny Gantz's exit.
- Ofer Winter's "Am Israel" list is currently polling below the electoral threshold.
- Ministers Gideon Sa'ar and Netanyahu have called for right-wing parties to withdraw to prevent vote wastage.
- The Religious Zionism party accused Winter of irresponsibility and risking a left-wing government.
- Ofer Winter stated his party is crucial for a decisive right-wing government and shows no sign of withdrawing.
Following Benny Gantz's dramatic announcement of his withdrawal from the upcoming elections, pressure is intensifying from right-wing parties on Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" list, to also exit the race. Winter's party is currently polling below the electoral threshold needed to enter the Knesset. The Religious Zionism party issued a public statement asserting that Gantz's departure was a responsible move to prevent votes from being lost to the left. They contrasted this with what they called "complete irresponsibility" from Winter and other right-wing factions failing to approach the threshold, accusing them of "throwing votes away" and risking a "disastrous" left-wing government supported by "terror supporters."
Minister Gideon Sa'ar echoed these sentiments, calling on right-wing parties polling near or below the threshold to withdraw, drawing a parallel to the 1992 elections where the loss of right-wing votes allegedly led to the Oslo Accords. He warned that "the price of wasting right-wing votes in these elections could be fatal."
Meanwhile, Minister Netanyahu reportedly attacked Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel, though the specifics of his remarks were not detailed. Minister Netanyahu also commented on Gantz's move, stating that Gantz "shows responsibility towards his friends on the left so as not to lose a single vote," and that "it's time for the right to come to its senses." He added that if Winter withdraws, he would "take his hat off to him."
Despite the mounting pressure, Ofer Winter has given no indication of yielding. In a statement released after Gantz's withdrawal, Winter thanked Gantz for his service and stated that Gantz's departure "illustrates the importance of the Am Israel party in Israeli public life." He positioned his party as the sole option for those desiring a decisive right-wing government not dependent on the "61st vote" of MK Goldknopf.
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