Ofer Winter Hints at Shifting Stance on Netanyahu Endorsement

Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Echad Yisrael party, has signaled a potential shift in his political position, amid pressure from the right-wing bloc. In an interview with Almog Boker on Channel 12, Winter stated that it might have been a mistake to initially declare that his party would only recommend Benjamin Netanyahu. "Sometimes I consider if it is right or wrong, but it is not relevant. I am a man of truth and in the national camp. Even if they slander us, I will not say now that I am moving to the other side. It could be that it was not necessarily right to say at the beginning," he said.

These remarks come amidst a struggle over his party's continued participation in the elections, fueled by efforts from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich to persuade Winter to withdraw. Yesterday, Netanyahu and Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Dayan, head of the "Bnei David" institutions in the Eli pre-military academy, which Winter attended. Reports suggest that during the meeting, they presented internal poll data indicating that "Am Echad Yisrael" is unlikely to pass the electoral threshold, aiming to pressure Rabbi Dayan to facilitate Winter's withdrawal.

This move follows weeks of political and public pressure on Winter, driven by concerns within the right-wing bloc about wasted votes. At a conference, Sigal Kraunik, a candidate for the "Am Echad Yisrael" party, commented that Winter was "good enough to be armored by Netanyahu, but only under the Likud's wings. When he decided to run independently, he dropped a grenade on him." Winter has so far insisted on continuing his candidacy, criticizing Netanyahu and Smotrich for what he called an "ugly and unethical" campaign using dishonest methods, and asserting his party's intention to proceed.

Winter's latest statement may reflect the pressure he is under rather than a fundamental change in his political stance. For Netanyahu, this statement could serve his campaign narrative, as he has argued that small right-wing parties failing to pass the threshold endanger the formation of a right-wing government. The Likud responded by stating, "Winter reveals the truth and says 'it was a mistake to declare at the beginning of the campaign that we would only recommend Netanyahu.' Winter, like Bennett, will take right-wing votes and transfer them to a left-wing government of Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Lieberman, Bennett, and the Arab parties."