Netanyahu Claims He Offered Winter Third Spot on Likud List
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed he offered Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel party, the third spot on the Likud list, which Winter refused. Netanyahu suggested Winter's refusal indicated a plan to align with Avigdor Lieberman and left-wing parties. The Prime Minister also discussed Haredi conscription, stating those not studying Torah would be drafted into the IDF.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu offered Ofer Winter the third spot on the Likud list, which Winter refused.
- Netanyahu suspects Winter plans to cooperate with Avigdor Lieberman and left-wing parties.
- The Prime Minister stated those not studying Torah would be drafted into the IDF.
- Winter rejected pressure to withdraw and affirmed his party's right-wing alignment.
- The revelations came just three days before the Knesset elections.
Three days before the elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed during a live interview on Channel 14's "The Patriots" program that he had offered Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel party, the third position on the Likud party's Knesset list. Netanyahu stated that Winter's refusal of this offer served as a significant warning sign, raising suspicions that Winter intended to collaborate with Avigdor Lieberman and left-wing parties after the elections.
Netanyahu asserted that Winter was "closed with Lieberman and the left," making these remarks amid an escalating confrontation between the two leaders just two days before the Knesset elections. In recent days, the Prime Minister had intensified his attacks on Winter, alleging a pact between Winter and Lieberman aimed at preventing the formation of a right-wing government. Winter, however, rejected pressure to withdraw from the race, maintaining that his party belongs to the right-wing bloc.
During the interview, Netanyahu also addressed the issue of Haredi conscription, stating that individuals engaged in Torah study would be permitted to continue their studies, while those not studying would be required to enlist in the IDF. The Prime Minister further claimed that the majority of Haredi men do not actively study Torah, and therefore, under his proposed framework, they would be obligated to serve.
