Ofer Winter Party Rejects Smotrich's Offer, Criticizes Netanyahu

The "Am Israel" party, led by Ofer Winter, has vehemently rejected a dramatic proposal from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Smotrich had offered Winter a ministerial position in the Ministry of Defense in exchange for withdrawing from the electoral race. Sources within the "Am Israel" party dismissed the offer as an attempt to "buy them with positions," stating they did not enter politics for personal gain and that the Israeli public is tired of "job politics."

Party officials criticized the current government's performance, citing a failure to integrate the Haredi community, achieve decisive outcomes, and promote immigration, while exacerbating national division. They suggested that those satisfied with the past four years should vote for existing parties, while those who are not should support the "Am Israel" party, which they described as the only new party on the right.

Smotrich's proposal, made during a special press conference, urged Winter to step aside to prevent vote dilution below the electoral threshold and warned against repeating the "disaster of the 1992 elections" which led to a left-wing government. He also offered Winter full authority to establish two dedicated directorates: one for voluntary immigration from Gaza and another for the recruitment and integration of Haredim.

This rejection follows a turbulent day for Winter's party. Earlier, Winter admitted in an interview that he might have erred in his initial commitment to recommend Netanyahu for president, a statement that drew sharp criticism from the Likud party. Yosef Haddad, the second candidate on the "Am Israel" list, quickly clarified that the party would indeed recommend Netanyahu, reaffirming their promise to the public. With Smotrich's offer now rejected, the party maintains its intention to run independently until the polls close.