Israeli Party Leader Questions Netanyahu Endorsement Amid Political Pressure

By Вести-Ynet

Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba

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Ofer Winter, chairman of the Amcha Israel party, expressed doubt about his earlier pledge to exclusively support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing pressure to withdraw his party from elections. He stated he is a principled right-wing individual and will not change his stance despite criticism. Bezalel Smotrich of Religious Zionism offered Winter a ministerial position and control over specific directorates in exchange for withdrawing his party, while also publicly criticizing Winter's campaign tactics.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Ofer Winter, chairman of Amcha Israel, questioned his initial endorsement of only Benjamin Netanyahu.
Winter faces pressure from Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich to withdraw his party from elections.
Smotrich offered Winter a ministerial role and control over new directorates to quit the race.
Winter stated he is a principled right-wing politician and will not change his stance.
The Likud party criticized Winter, suggesting his party could harm the right-wing bloc.

Israeli Party Leader Questions Netanyahu Endorsement Amid Political Pressure — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Ofer Winter, chairman of the Amcha Israel party, has suggested he may have erred in his early campaign declaration to exclusively support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement was made during a Channel 12 interview on October 21st. Winter is facing significant pressure from Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of Religious Zionism, to withdraw his party from the upcoming elections, a demand he has firmly rejected.

Responding to a question about whether his initial pledge to recommend only Netanyahu was a mistake, Winter stated, "This is the main question. Sometimes I consider whether it was right. But now it doesn't matter: I am a man of principle and belong to the national camp. I am right-wing, even if they trample me and smear me." He added, "Could I have made a mistake making such a statement? Possibly. I'm not sure it was right at the beginning. But I am an honest person, I don't switch sides, I am right-wing. Therefore, even if they slander us, I will not change my opinion about the Land of Israel, the people of Israel, and the connection to the Torah of Israel."

The Likud party criticized Winter's remarks, interpreting them as an admission of error and warning that his party could draw votes away from the right, potentially benefiting a left-wing government. Smotrich also engaged with Winter, offering him a ministerial post in the defense ministry if he withdraws his party, and full authority over a voluntary emigration directorate from Gaza and an Orthodox conscription and integration authority. Smotrich publicly criticized Winter earlier on October 21st, accusing him of boycotting him and stating that Winter's entire campaign was "one big blow to the Prime Minister and to me," urging him to "stop and fix everything."