Finance Minister Offers Cabinet Post to Rival to Prevent Vote Splitting

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has made a dramatic offer to Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" party, just one week before the elections. Smotrich proposed that Winter withdraw from the Knesset race in exchange for a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry, allocated from the Religious Zionism party's quota. This role would include full authority to establish a voluntary emigration administration for Gaza and a separate administration for recruiting and integrating the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) population.

Smotrich appealed to Winter, calling him a "good man, a values-driven leader, and a brave commander with many merits," who represents an important voice in Israeli public life. He warned that Winter's continued candidacy could lead to a national disaster, drawing a parallel to the 1992 elections where, he claimed, "good people" split the camp, wasted votes, and ultimately led to the Oslo Accords. Smotrich emphasized that votes lost below the electoral threshold could determine the election's outcome, stating the national camp cannot afford to repeat past mistakes and risk a left-wing government.

Citing polls that indicate "Am Israel" will not pass the electoral threshold, Smotrich acknowledged Winter might have his own polls suggesting otherwise. He referenced past instances, like Bennett in 2019 and the Tehiya party in 1992, where favorable polls did not translate into electoral success, asserting Winter's party has "no chance in the world" of passing the threshold.

Smotrich detailed his proposal, pledging to use the political power of Religious Zionism post-election to secure the Defense Ministry portfolio for Winter. This would grant him full responsibility for two critical national issues: establishing a voluntary emigration administration for Gaza, which Smotrich described as the most crucial mission for decisive victory, and creating an administration for Haredi recruitment and integration. The Gaza administration would be a statutory body with a significant budget, coordinating efforts across multiple government agencies. The Haredi administration would focus on military recruitment and societal integration, including pre-military programs and post-service placement.

Smotrich drew a parallel to the success of the Settlement Administration in the Defense Ministry, which he stated revolutionized Judea and Samaria. He concluded by urging Winter to demonstrate national responsibility, prevent a repeat of the "1992 failure," and join the government to implement his vision for Israel's security and national values.