Winter's Comrades Urge Him to Quit Knesset Race to Aid Right-Wing Bloc

Translated & summarized from 0404 by baba

RightCharged tone

Hebrew · 2 newsrooms covering

Four retired senior officers have publicly urged Ofer Winter, chairman of the 'Amcha LeYisrael' party, to withdraw from the Knesset race just before the elections. They fear his party will not pass the electoral threshold, leading to lost votes and a weakened right-wing bloc. One officer, Harel Knafo, directly appealed to Winter to "do the right thing" for the national camp.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Retired officers call on Ofer Winter to quit Knesset race to save right-wing votes.
Winter's party, 'Amcha LeYisrael,' is at risk of not passing the electoral threshold.
Officers warn that lost votes could harm the balance of power between blocs.
Brigadier General (res.) Harel Knafo made a personal appeal to Winter.
The officers cited the critical nature of the upcoming elections.

Four retired senior officers, who served with Ofer Winter for years, have issued an unusual public appeal for him to withdraw from the Knesset race. They fear his party, 'Amcha LeYisrael,' will not pass the electoral threshold, causing its votes to be lost and potentially harming the right-wing bloc.

Brigadier General (res.) Harel Knafo directly addressed Winter, stating, "Ofer my brother, do the right thing." He warned that Winter's actions could cause the entire national camp to fall, and that if Winter does not enter the Knesset, the entire bloc might suffer.

Knafo, along with fellow retired officers Brigadier General Erez Wiener, Brigadier General (res.) Professor Gabi Siboni, and Colonel (res.) Hazi Nehama, published a joint statement a day before the elections. They cautioned against the risk of losing votes if Winter's party fails to cross the 1.85% electoral threshold.

Wiener emphasized the critical nature of the elections, stating, "The cliché of fateful elections cannot be more true. We must not take risks. We must not vote for parties that will not pass the electoral threshold." Siboni echoed these concerns, warning that votes not translated into Knesset seats could impact the balance of power between political blocs.

Nehama also highlighted the decisive moment, cautioning against wasting votes on parties with uncertain chances of passing the threshold. Knafo concluded by urging Winter to reconsider, expressing belief in his future leadership but stressing the immediate need to withdraw for the sake of the right-wing bloc.