Smotrich Slams Winter's 'Navigation Error' Amid Election Campaign
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized Ofer Winter for refusing to meet him for six months and for running an independent election campaign that Smotrich claims is a smear campaign. Smotrich warned Winter that his actions risk losing votes below the electoral threshold for the national camp. Smotrich urged Winter to stop his "navigation error" and correct his course, stating it's not too late.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich accused Ofer Winter of a six-month boycott and a smear campaign.
- Smotrich warned Winter's independent election run risks losing votes below the threshold.
- Smotrich stated Winter has refused to meet him for half a year.
- Smotrich urged Winter to correct his "navigation error" in their political discourse.
- The dispute occurs amid the election campaign for the 26th Knesset.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has sharply criticized Ofer Winter, chairman of the 'Amcha Israel' party, following a video Winter released after a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Smotrich with Rabbi Eli Sadan. Smotrich revealed that Winter has refused to meet with him for six months, accusing him of a smear campaign and warning that his independent run could cause the national camp to lose votes below the electoral threshold.
Smotrich expressed regret that their discourse was happening through social media videos rather than direct conversation. "It truly pains me that we are speaking in videos," Smotrich stated, adding that Winter has been boycotting him for half a year, making him "radioactive" and refusing to meet, talk, or consult. Smotrich emphasized that they are on the same side, both desiring Israel's well-being and the national camp's victory.
The Finance Minister also attacked Winter's decision to run independently in the upcoming Knesset elections, calling it an irresponsible move that could harm the national camp's prospects. He warned that such a move risks throwing away votes below the electoral threshold and endangering Israel's existence and future.
Smotrich addressed the content of Winter's video, noting that while Winter rightly called for focusing on positive actions rather than attacking opponents, his entire campaign, including the video, constituted a significant attack on the Prime Minister and himself. Smotrich questioned whether Winter's message implied that the Israeli public desires a different kind of politics, one lacking responsibility, love, or connection.
He defended his and Netanyahu's work over the past three years in areas such as war, the economy, settlement, and judicial reform, acknowledging imperfections but stressing the need for a benevolent perspective and gratitude, not a campaign of mudslinging and slander. Smotrich concluded by telling Winter, "You've made a navigation error. It's not too late to stop and correct."
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