Ofer Winter Refuses to Quit Knesset Race Amid Pressure
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel party, has rejected pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to withdraw from the Knesset election race. Smotrich had offered Winter a ministerial position and authority over immigration and Haredi recruitment if he withdrew. Winter stated his party entered politics to bring change and serve soldiers, not for personal gain, and outlined conditions for cooperation, including a law for reservists and voluntary immigration from Gaza. He positioned his party as crucial for forming a right-wing government and preventing a left-wing one.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ofer Winter rejected pressure from Netanyahu and Smotrich to quit the Knesset race.
- Smotrich offered Winter a ministerial role and key administrative powers to withdraw.
- Netanyahu cited polls suggesting Winter's party would not pass the electoral threshold.
- Winter stated his party seeks to change politics, not gain personal jobs.
- Winter set conditions for cooperation, including laws for reservists and Gaza immigration.
- Winter positioned his party as vital for a right-wing government and against a left-wing one.
Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel party, issued a sharp statement Wednesday rejecting calls to withdraw from the Knesset race, despite significant pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Winter declared, "We didn't come for a job, as you are accustomed. We came to change and lead a way."
The statement followed a dramatic offer from Smotrich, who proposed Winter withdraw from the race in exchange for a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry, with full authority to establish a voluntary immigration administration for Gaza and an administration for recruiting and integrating the Haredi population. Prime Minister Netanyahu also publicly urged Winter to step down, citing poll results suggesting the Am Israel party would not pass the electoral threshold.
Winter explained his motivation for entering politics was to offer a leadership alternative for a significant right-wing constituency dissatisfied with existing options. He described the intense, often personal, attacks he and his candidates have faced, particularly from within his own political camp, including harassment of candidates and their families, private investigators, and pressure on rabbis.
Addressing Smotrich's offer, Winter stated, "You are mistaken. We did not come for a job, as you are accustomed. We came to change. We came to lead a way. We came to serve those who serve, not to facilitate continued cronyism and the distribution of positions."
Winter outlined his conditions for cooperation, stating, "If they give a law for the status of reservists that cares for soldiers and changes national priorities, they will receive. If they don't give, they won't receive. If they give to lead to a decision and voluntary immigration in Gaza, they will receive. If they don't give, they won't receive. It's very simple."
He emphasized his party's role in preventing a left-wing government, asserting, "We are people of truth. We will not take our votes and form a government with Yair Golan, that will never happen." Winter urged voters not to succumb to fear-mongering and fake news, claiming his party is the key to forming a broad, decisive right-wing government. He concluded by addressing reservists and soldiers, promising to fight for their trust and serve them.
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