Smotrich Offers Winter Ministerial Post for Election Withdrawal

Bezalel Smotrich has approached Ofer Winter with a special proposal, offering to secure a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry for Winter, at the expense of the Religious Zionism party's coalition allocation, in exchange for Winter withdrawing his Knesset candidacy. According to the offer, Winter would be responsible for two key areas: establishing a directorate for voluntary migration from Gaza and a directorate for the recruitment and integration of the ultra-Orthodox into society and the workforce. Smotrich pledged to work towards granting these directorates the necessary authorities, budgets, and staffing within the coalition agreements.

"I will give up a ministerial role from my party for you if you withdraw and do not endanger the right," Smotrich stated. He emphasized that he does not want Winter to leave public service, saying, "The people of Israel need you in centers of action and influence." Smotrich warned that Winter's continued candidacy could lead to the loss of tens of thousands of votes below the electoral threshold. He recalled the 1992 elections, arguing that splitting the bloc could determine victory or defeat, adding, "The national camp cannot afford to repeat past mistakes. We must not waste a single vote."

Smotrich also mentioned that before the party lists were finalized, he had offered Winter a partnership and a spot on the list. He now claims this offer is intended to allow Winter to advance the issues central to his platform from within the government. "I am offering you a true partnership," Smotrich concluded. "Ofer, together, only together, we can succeed."