Netanyahu's Campaign Against Winter May Backfire, Costing Right-Wing Votes
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign against Brigadier General (Res.) Ofer Winter's new party may backfire, costing the right-wing bloc crucial votes. The strategy aims to prevent Winter from passing the electoral threshold, but risks alienating tens of thousands of religious Zionist voters. If Winter's party fails to cross the threshold, these votes could be lost, potentially impacting Netanyahu's ability to form a government after the upcoming elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu's campaign against Ofer Winter risks alienating right-wing voters and aiding a left-wing government.
- Winter's new party is seen by many religious voters as an alternative to current leadership.
- Rabbi Eli Sadan publicly blessed Winter's effort to pass the electoral threshold.
- A failure to cross the threshold could waste tens of thousands of right-wing votes.
- Netanyahu's strategy is questioned as a potential self-inflicted electoral wound.
A campaign spearheaded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Brigadier General (Res.) Ofer Winter, a prominent figure in the religious Zionist community, risks alienating tens of thousands of right-wing voters and potentially leading to the formation of a left-wing government. The Likud party's strategy, characterized by labeling, demonization, and claims that Winter's new party will not pass the electoral threshold, has transformed Winter from a celebrated figure within the sector to a target, likened to "Bibi 2" or even a Palestinian sympathizer by some media outlets.
Netanyahu's primary concern appears to be securing the largest number of mandates and preventing potential rivals like Gadi Eisenkot from surpassing him. However, the article argues that Israeli law prioritizes recommendations for government formation over party size. Netanyahu's aggressive stance against Winter is portrayed not as strategic brilliance but as a potential self-inflicted wound.
Many religious and traditional voters, disillusioned by the perceived lack of governance following the October 7th events and opposed to exemptions from military service for Haredi men, see Winter's "Am Israel" party as a viable alternative and a lifeline. These voters are unlikely to shift to the left but are deeply disappointed with the current political landscape.
The situation presents a dilemma for the religious Zionist community. On one hand, Netanyahu is exerting significant pressure, reportedly extending to Winter's family members. On the other hand, Rabbi Eli Sadan has publicly blessed Winter's endeavor to pass the electoral threshold, recognizing its importance for the entire right-wing bloc.
If the Likud's campaign successfully prevents Winter's party from crossing the threshold, Netanyahu might achieve his immediate goal. However, if Winter's party garners votes but falls just short of the required percentage, tens of thousands of right-wing votes could be wasted, potentially handing the keys to government formation to Netanyahu's rivals. The article questions whether Netanyahu's decision to confront Winter, rather than embrace him as a vote-getter, will prove to be a strategic miscalculation with significant electoral consequences.
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