Rabbi Tells Netanyahu Winter Should Quit; PM Seeks to Consolidate Right-Wing Votes
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Rabbi Eli Sadan to discuss consolidating right-wing votes ahead of elections. Rabbi Sadan told Netanyahu that Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" party, should withdraw from the race, though Winter has stated his party will continue. Senior rabbis are working with other small parties to prevent vote fragmentation. A separate report quotes Har HaMor Yeshiva responding critically to Netanyahu.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Eli Sadan told PM Netanyahu that Ofer Winter should withdraw from the election race.
- Netanyahu and Smotrich met with Rabbi Sadan to consolidate right-wing votes before elections.
- Ofer Winter stated his "Am Israel" party intends to continue its electoral bid.
- Senior rabbis are urging small parties to merge to avoid vote fragmentation.
- Har HaMor Yeshiva issued a critical statement regarding Netanyahu.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan, head of the Eli Preparatory Academy and spiritual mentor to Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" party. The meeting, held at the Eli Preparatory Academy, was part of broader efforts on the right to prevent vote fragmentation ahead of elections, specifically to avoid losing votes to parties that may not pass the electoral threshold. During the discussion, Rabbi Sadan reportedly told Prime Minister Netanyahu that he was convinced Ofer Winter should withdraw from the race, though he admitted he had no influence over Winter's decision. Sources close to Rabbi Sadan are considering whether to issue a statement, questioning its potential impact.
Senior rabbis within the Religious Zionist movement are also actively engaging with other small parties to encourage consolidation. The meeting also included Rabbi Yigal Levinstein and Rabbi Yehuda Sadan, along with staff from the Prime Minister's and Finance Minister's offices. Despite Rabbi Sadan's expressed opinion, Ofer Winter has stated that his party intends to continue its electoral bid. Political circles are increasingly concerned about vote splitting within the right-wing bloc, and efforts to persuade small parties to withdraw are expected to continue.
Meanwhile, a separate report indicates a critical response from Har HaMor Yeshiva to Netanyahu, with the statement "Let him eat what he cooked."
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