Smotrich Urges Candidate Winter to Withdraw, Citing Election Risk

Three days before the election, Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism-Identity party and Minister of Finance, reiterated his call for Ofer Winter to withdraw from the race, asserting that Winter's candidacy jeopardizes the right-wing bloc. In an interview with Daniel Rot Avner, Smotrich stated, "He has taken a huge, huge gamble, which in my eyes is ten sizes too big for his shoulders. You are gambling with the Jewish state, you are gambling with security, with settlement, with everything that is so important to us." Smotrich directly addressed Winter, urging him, "It is not too late to withdraw. Take this step back before we crash into the abyss, join hands with us, and we will bring victory to the national camp." He revealed that he had offered Winter a position, including the top spot on the list and leadership roles in government initiatives concerning voluntary emigration from Gaza and the conscription of Haredim.

Despite his sharp criticism, Smotrich refrained from questioning Winter's intentions, saying, "I don't think I have the right to cast doubt on a Major General, a commander, a fighter, a decorated officer in the IDF." He added, "If he says something, I have no basis to assume he is not telling the truth." Smotrich clarified that his concern is not with Winter's positions but with his ability to pass the electoral threshold, stating, "My problem with Ofer is simply that he will not pass the blocking percentage." Smotrich previously claimed that Winter failed to pass the blocking percentage in nine out of eleven recent polls, and in the cases where he did, it was very close to the threshold.

Smotrich also commented on the recent weekend terror attack, calling for a significant military operation in Judea and Samaria. "We need a powerful military campaign to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, collect the vast amounts of weapons in the area, eliminate all terrorists and terror infrastructure," he declared. He warned that without such action, "we are waiting for the next October 7th. The question is only when, not if." Smotrich mentioned he has been blocking funds to the PA for 18 months and believes a decisive military operation to end terrorism "once and for all" is necessary at the start of the next term.

Regarding the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, Smotrich stated that the current situation regarding their conscription cannot continue. "It is a very painful event. It cannot continue, and we do not intend to continue with it," he said. However, he opposed immediate, forceful changes, emphasizing the complexity and the need for "very deep sociological change." He proposed a comprehensive national plan including pre-service, service, and post-service frameworks. Smotrich noted that 10% of Haredi children currently study in state-Haredi schools and take matriculation exams, predicting this figure could rise to 20% or 30% in the next term.

Smotrich also criticized rivals, including Avigdor Lieberman, highlighting his own tangible achievements as Minister of Transport, including railway development and settlement expansion in Judea and Samaria. He questioned Lieberman's accomplishments over his 30-year political career. Smotrich further claimed that housing prices decreased by 6%-7% during his tenure as Finance Minister, inflation fell to 1.5%, and both the deficit and interest rates are trending downward.