Minister Chikli Defends Winter's Party, Warns of Right-Wing Vote Split
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli criticized the harassment of "Am Echad Yisrael" party members, led by Ofer Winter, and warned that their votes could harm the formation of a right-wing government. Chikli stated Winter is not comparable to former leader Naftali Bennett and condemned attacks on party candidates, including bereaved mother Lali Derai. He expressed belief in Derai's account despite a lack of tangible evidence for the alleged harassment.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Amichai Chikli criticized harassment of Ofer Winter's "Am Echad Yisrael" party members.
- Chikli warned that votes for "Am Echad Yisrael" could prevent a right-wing government.
- He stated Ofer Winter is not comparable to former leader Naftali Bennett.
- Chikli condemned attacks on party candidates, including bereaved mother Lali Derai.
- He expressed belief in Lali Derai's account of harassment.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has spoken out against the harassment directed at members of Ofer Winter's "Am Echad Yisrael" party, stating that Winter is not comparable to former party chairman Naftali Bennett. Chikli, a member of the Likud party, expressed concern that votes for "Am Echad Yisrael" could prevent the formation of a right-wing government, predicting a "loss of tens of thousands of votes." He clarified that he has never spoken ill of Yosef Haddad, Lali Derai, or Winter, except to suggest Winter should be "more modest and less megalomaniacal." Chikli explicitly stated, "I do not think Winter is Bennett," and added, "I do not think he will be a person without a value and ideological backbone like Naftali Bennett."
Regarding the intense pressure on Winter's party members, which Chikli acknowledged sometimes crosses lines of decency, he stated, "I have not seen evidence of demonstrations against children." He condemned any involvement of children, spouses, or relatives not involved in politics as "completely unacceptable." When questioned about harsh remarks made against the party's candidate, the bereaved mother Lali Derai, Chikli called the attacks "completely disgraceful" and "unacceptable," adding, "I have not seen tangible evidence proving these things, but I believe Lali Derai."
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