Netanyahu and Smotrich's Secret Meeting Yields No Results on Party Mergers

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich held a secret late-night meeting at the Likud headquarters in an attempt to secure the withdrawal of Moti Leitner and Ofer Winter from the political arena ahead of the upcoming elections. The meeting, which lasted an hour and a half, failed to achieve its objectives, with both Leitner and Winter remaining in the race. Netanyahu reportedly did not know Leitner prior to the meeting and found his demands, described as a "revenge campaign against existing Haredi parties," unrealistic.

Smotrich had previously offered Winter the leadership of a Knesset list, an offer that remains on the table. Smotrich's proposals to Winter were coordinated with Netanyahu. The article suggests that Netanyahu may be benefiting from a perceived distance from Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose Otzma Yehudit party is reportedly spreading videos claiming Netanyahu has lost his way.

The departure of Benny Gantz from politics is framed as a positive development for Israeli politics, potentially aiding in healing political divisions. Gantz's past actions, including his departure from Washington to vote against Netanyahu's immunity and his alleged leaks and attacks while in government, are criticized as petty and self-serving.

In contrast, Pnina Tamano-Shata is praised for maintaining her values and avoiding divisive rhetoric. Her political mandate is described as originating from a different base, separate from Gantz.

The article also touches upon the legal proceedings against Netanyahu, suggesting that the cases against him are collapsing and that the prosecution and police may have engaged in misconduct, including pressuring witnesses and leaking information. The author criticizes the opposition's attempt to pass a law barring indicted individuals from forming a government, deeming it hypocritical given the alleged collapse of the charges against Netanyahu.