Netanyahu's Efforts to Remove Vinter from Knesset Race Fail

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's last-minute attempts to persuade Ofer Vinter to withdraw from the Knesset race were unsuccessful. Netanyahu and his associates approached rabbis and figures close to Vinter, chairman of the Am Ech Israel party, seeking to pressure him into withdrawing. However, some of these appeals were rejected, and in other instances, rabbis expressed support for Vinter's continued candidacy.

In one of the final efforts, Netanyahu contacted Rabbi Bneiahu Shmueli, a Jerusalem rabbi close to Vinter. According to reports, Shmueli refused to meet with the Prime Minister, stating he does not engage in politics, and they spoke by phone. Netanyahu warned that Vinter's candidacy could endanger the right-wing bloc and lead to "another disaster" similar to the Oslo Accords. Rabbi Shmueli reportedly asked Netanyahu to put his concerns in writing.

Following the call, Vinter visited Rabbi Shmueli's home, and they prayed together. The rabbi did not raise the election issue with Vinter. Later, the rabbi's son attended a Vinter event, and associates of the rabbi circulated a video of him expressing support for Vinter, filmed weeks earlier.

Similarly, an appeal to Rabbi David Abuchatzira in the north also failed to convince Vinter to withdraw. Netanyahu's associates reportedly tried to enlist Abuchatzira's influence, but the rabbi did not oppose Vinter and indicated Vinter intended to run to the end.

These efforts followed a meeting last week between Netanyahu and Rabbi Eli Sadan, head of the Bnei David Yeshiva and Vinter's rabbi. After the meeting, Sadan released a recording wishing Vinter's party success in passing the electoral threshold, stating it would only help Netanyahu form a right-wing government if they succeeded. Sadan also addressed Netanyahu's request for Vinter to withdraw, explaining he had decided to remain silent. Despite the Prime Minister's efforts, Vinter remains in the race, leaving the question of his party's ability to pass the electoral threshold unresolved.