Kikar HaShabbatPolitics19:15

Netanyahu and Smotrich Meet Rabbi to Urge Candidate's Withdrawal

By כיכר השבת

Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba

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Hebrew · 5 newsrooms covering

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan to pressure candidate Ofer Winter to withdraw from the upcoming Knesset elections. Polls presented at the meeting showed Winter had no chance of passing the electoral threshold. Winter responded with an angry video, rejecting the pressure and vowing to continue his campaign, accusing the prime minister of using unethical tactics.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Netanyahu and Smotrich met Rabbi Eli Sadan to urge Ofer Winter to withdraw from Knesset race.
Polls presented to the rabbi showed Winter had no chance of passing the electoral threshold.
Winter responded angrily, accusing Netanyahu of using unethical campaign tactics.
Winter vowed to continue his campaign, presenting his movement as an alternative for the right.
The leaders expressed concern over potential high Arab voter turnout and Gantz's withdrawal.

Netanyahu and Smotrich Meet Rabbi to Urge Candidate's Withdrawal — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are reportedly working to unite the right-wing bloc ahead of elections, aiming to persuade smaller parties that are unlikely to pass the electoral threshold to withdraw. Following attempts to convince the "Noam" and "Haredi Public" parties, Netanyahu and Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan, the spiritual mentor of candidate Ofer Winter, on Tuesday. The purpose of the meeting was to convince Rabbi Sadan to urge Winter to drop out of the Knesset race.

During the meeting, Rabbi Sadan was presented with in-depth polls indicating Winter has no chance of crossing the electoral threshold. Netanyahu also discussed pressing מדיניים (political/diplomatic) issues, emphasizing the need for a strong right-wing government. The leaders expressed concern about a significant Arab voter turnout, which could increase overall participation. They also noted Benny Gantz's withdrawal from politics, which they believe benefits the left-wing bloc by consolidating support among parties guaranteed to pass the threshold.

Ofer Winter responded to the reported pressure in an angry video statement. He accused Netanyahu and Smotrich of trying to force him out and criticized their "ugly and unethical" campaign tactics. Winter stated that his movement offers an alternative for the right, emphasizing leadership that takes responsibility, admits mistakes, fosters love, and unites the nation. He asserted that while Netanyahu and Smotrich have resources, his movement has "internal truth" and is committed to Israel, vowing to continue their campaign with full force.