Winter Slams Netanyahu, Smotrich Over Election Campaign Tactics
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Ofer Winter, chairman of the 'Amcha Israel' party, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich of trying to pressure him to withdraw from the upcoming elections. Winter rejected their tactics, calling for a different kind of politics. Smotrich, meanwhile, criticized Winter for potentially endangering the right-wing bloc and enabling a left-wing government. Reports also indicate Likud has been trying to secure withdrawals from Winter's party, with one candidate already having left.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ofer Winter accused Netanyahu and Smotrich of pressuring him to quit the election race.
- Winter stated the Israeli public is tired of "ugly and unethical" campaign tactics.
- Smotrich warned Winter's candidacy could lead to a left-wing government.
- Netanyahu supported a candidate's withdrawal from Winter's party, citing election risks.
- Reports suggest Likud is offering "withdrawal packages" to 'Amcha Israel' members.
With one week remaining until the elections, Ofer Winter, chairman of the 'Amcha Israel' party, launched a sharp attack against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionism party chairman Bezalel Smotrich. Winter stated that Netanyahu and Smotrich had approached Rabbi Eli Sadan to pressure him into withdrawing from the electoral race. "Netanyahu, I heard that you and Smotrich are on your way to Rabbi Eli Sadan to pressure me to withdraw," Winter said. "Guys, get it straight. The people of Israel want different politics. The people of Israel are fed up with the ugly and unethical campaign you have led and the dishonest methods you are using."
Winter added, "Tell us what you are good at, instead of stepping on others to rise. We have come to present an alternative of different leadership for the right. Leadership that takes responsibility, leadership that knows how to say I failed, I erred. Leadership that has love and knows how to unite all of Israel. Respectful leadership."
He concluded by addressing Smotrich, "Smotrich, this is the way of the Torah of Israel. You truly have many resources, but we have the inner truth. We are here only for the people of Israel and we are going all the way with all our might. Dear people of Israel, together with you, God willing, we will win, and big."
The previous day, after Benny Gantz, chairman of the Blue and White party, announced his withdrawal from the race, Smotrich criticized Winter, stating, "There is complete irresponsibility on the right from Ofer Winter and the rest of the party fragments that are not approaching the blocking percentage, who insist on throwing votes away and endangering the State of Israel with a left-wing government with supporters of terror that will bring disaster upon us. This is a true alarm. I call on Ofer and his friends to come to their senses and take responsibility. If the right loses votes, the left will come to power. We do not gamble with the State of Israel."
A week prior, Channel 13 reported that Likud was attempting to approach members of 'Amcha Israel' to persuade them to withdraw from the Knesset race, with Netanyahu reportedly preparing "withdrawal packages" for party leaders. On that same evening, Dovidian Ben Zion, listed as number 8 on Winter's list, announced his resignation from the party. Netanyahu issued a statement supporting Ben Zion's decision, saying, "I commend Dovidian Ben Zion for his important decision to withdraw from Winter's party after realizing that Winter's run endangers the right-wing bloc and will lead to the establishment of a left-wing government of [Yair] Golan, [Avigdor] Lieberman, Bennett, and the Arab parties. I call on the rest of the list members to act similarly to ensure the victory of the right."
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