Right-Wing Parties Refuse Netanyahu's Pressure to Withdraw Before Election
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Two right-wing parties, the Haredi Public led by Moti Leitner and Amcha Israel led by Ofer Winter, have refused to withdraw from the Knesset election race despite pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders announced their parties will continue campaigning, with Winter rejecting offers of government positions and Leitner accusing rival parties of threats. The Haredi Public party issued a statement denying any withdrawal negotiations and promising to be an election surprise.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Haredi Public and Amcha Israel parties will not withdraw from election race despite PM Netanyahu's pressure.
- Ofer Winter of Amcha Israel rejected offers of ministerial posts and vowed to push for policy changes.
- Moti Leitner of Haredi Public accused rival parties of threats and vowed to represent the unrepresented.
- Leitner's party denied any withdrawal negotiations and predicted being an election surprise.
- Winter cited harassment and pressure from within the right-wing camp.
- Netanyahu is trying to consolidate the right-wing bloc before the election.
Despite significant pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, two smaller right-wing parties have announced they will not withdraw from the upcoming Knesset election race, scheduled for six days from now. Moti Leitner, chairman of the Haredi Public party, stated at a press conference on Wednesday evening that his party is "continuing with full force," even after being offered a role as a project manager for the Haredi sector should Netanyahu's bloc win. Shortly after, Ofer Winter, chairman of Amcha Israel, also declared his party would not withdraw, rejecting Netanyahu's demand and an offer from Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, for a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry.
Winter criticized the "ugly and incomprehensible fire" directed at his party, particularly from within their own camp, alleging harassment of candidates and their families, private investigators, and pressure on rabbis. He dismissed Smotrich's offer as a "blank check" and stated his party was not seeking "a job" but "to change and lead a path." Winter reaffirmed his right-wing stance but emphasized that his support would be conditional on concrete legislative action, such as a law for soldiers and a plan for voluntary emigration from Gaza.
Leitner also spoke of "very heavy pressures" to withdraw, including a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. He accused the leaders of United Torah Judaism and Shas of sending "severe threats" out of fear. Leitner asserted that his party represents "tens of thousands of Haredim who are not represented today" and that they "will not withdraw" but will "run with full force and build a new political home because the monopoly of Shas and United Torah Judaism has ended."
Following Leitner's press conference, a clarification was issued stating that no negotiations for withdrawal are underway and that reports of such contacts are "false." The Haredi Public party intends to run until the end and expects to be "the surprise of the elections."
Mentioned
