Finance Minister Urges Right-Wing Parties to Withdraw from Election Race
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged Ofer Winter and other small right-wing parties to withdraw from the Knesset elections following Benny Gantz's exit. Smotrich warned that their continued participation risks a left-wing victory due to vote splitting, citing polls showing "Amcha Israel" below the electoral threshold. He implored them not to "gamble" with Israel's future, identity, and security.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Ofer Winter and small right-wing parties to withdraw from the Knesset elections.
- Smotrich warned that their participation risks a left-wing government due to vote splitting.
- Recent polls show Ofer Winter's "Amcha Israel" party failing to pass the electoral threshold.
- Smotrich urged voters not to support parties that cannot guarantee passing the threshold.
- Minister Gideon Sa'ar also called for right-wing parties to withdraw from the race.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has issued a strong appeal to Ofer Winter, leader of the "Amcha Israel" party, and other small right-wing factions, urging them to withdraw from the upcoming Knesset elections. This call follows Benny Gantz's announcement of his departure from the race.
Smotrich warned that the continued participation of parties unlikely to pass the electoral threshold could inadvertently lead to a left-wing government. He stated, "When you hear the congratulations from all the left-wing party leaders on Gantz's decision to withdraw, you understand that he withdrew to show responsibility for the left-wing bloc and to bring it to power." He contrasted this with the right-wing, describing the situation as the "exact opposite."
The Finance Minister specifically addressed "Amcha Israel," which recent polls indicate will not pass the 3.25% electoral threshold. "Ofer Winter, and several other fragments of parties with no chance in the world of passing the electoral threshold, are gambling with the future of the State of Israel," Smotrich declared, imploring Winter and his allies to withdraw.
Smotrich's plea comes in the wake of two significant polls released the previous evening, showing "Amcha Israel" failing to cross the threshold. One poll placed the party at a low of 2.9% of the vote, while another did not include it at all. The Religious Zionism party echoed Smotrich's sentiment, stating that Gantz's withdrawal was an act of responsibility to prevent votes from being lost to the left, and that the right is currently exhibiting "complete irresponsibility."
Likud Minister also commented, suggesting that if Winter withdraws, he would show him great respect. Minister Gideon Sa'ar has also called on right-wing parties to exit the race. Smotrich concluded by urging the public not to vote for any party that cannot definitively pass the electoral threshold, to avoid wasting votes, and to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
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