Netanyahu, Smotrich Urge Winter to Withdraw; He Vows to Continue

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Bezalel Smotrich are pressuring Ofer Winter, a candidate for the national camp, to withdraw from the upcoming elections. The pressure comes amid internal polls suggesting a potential loss of votes for the right-wing bloc. Netanyahu and Smotrich held a meeting with Rabbi Eli Sadan, head of the Eli Preparatory Academy and Winter's mentor, to discuss the situation.

Winter, however, has rejected the calls to step down, stating his intention to present an alternative leadership for the right and vowing to "go all the way and win." He emphasized his commitment to the Israeli people and taking responsibility.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Yair Lapid cautioned against running election campaigns based on a single large party, recalling past instances where such strategies led to Netanyahu forming a government. He advocated for a bloc strategy, warning that internal competition could jeopardize their chances of victory.

In a related development, the Likud party addressed the issue of Haredi enlistment, with Netanyahu reiterating his stance that those not studying Torah must serve in the army, and draft dodgers should face imprisonment. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized Netanyahu's remarks, accusing him of making a deal with the Haredi community for political gain by promising to pass a law exempting them from military service before the next government is formed, which Bennett claims would legitimize mass draft evasion.