Netanyahu's Efforts to Force Genter's Resignation Fail
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to pressure Ofir Genter, leader of the "Am Ich Israel" party, to withdraw from the Knesset elections have failed. Netanyahu and his associates contacted several rabbis, including Bneiahu Shmueli, David Abuhaseira, and Eli Sadan, to influence Genter. Despite warnings of negative consequences for the right-wing bloc, the rabbis did not comply with Netanyahu's requests. Genter remains in the race, with his party's electoral prospects still undecided.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu's attempts to force Ofir Genter's withdrawal from Knesset elections failed.
- Netanyahu contacted rabbis Bneiahu Shmueli, David Abuhaseira, and Eli Sadan to pressure Genter.
- Rabbi Shmueli refused to meet Netanyahu and did not pressure Genter to withdraw.
- Rabbi Sadan, Genter's former teacher, released a recording supporting Genter's candidacy.
- Genter has not withdrawn from the election, and his party's chances are uncertain.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates failed in their attempts to persuade rabbis and religious figures close to Ofir Genter, leader of the "Am Ich Israel" party, to pressure him into withdrawing from the Knesset elections. These efforts intensified until the last moments, according to Israeli Channel 12.
Netanyahu contacted Rabbi Bneiahu Shmueli, who is close to Genter, on Sunday, urging him to intervene and end Genter's candidacy. However, Shmueli refused to meet Netanyahu, stating he does not involve himself in politics, and limited their interaction to a brief phone call. During the call, Netanyahu warned that Genter's continued participation could harm the right-wing bloc and lead to "another disaster" similar to the Oslo Accords. Shmueli responded by saying he would be happy to receive such matters in writing, without agreeing to the request.
Later, Genter visited Shmueli's home, and they prayed together without discussing the elections or Netanyahu's request. Subsequently, Shmueli's son attended a Genter event, and Shmueli's associates began circulating a video message of support for Genter recorded weeks prior.
Netanyahu's efforts were not limited to Shmueli. In recent days, associates approached Rabbi David Abuhaseira, attempting to influence Genter to withdraw. This attempt also failed, as Abuhaseira did not express opposition to Genter's candidacy, reportedly telling visitors that Genter intended to compete until the end.
These moves followed an earlier attempt by Netanyahu last week to convince Rabbi Eli Sadan, head of a yeshiva in the Eli settlement and Genter's former student, to work towards Genter's withdrawal. Sadan reportedly believed Genter should withdraw but doubted his ability to influence him. However, Sadan later released an audio recording expressing support for Genter, hoping he would pass the electoral threshold, stating this was the path to forming a right-wing government led by Netanyahu. Sadan also explained his silence regarding Netanyahu's request to call for Genter's withdrawal.
Consequently, Netanyahu's and his associates' attempts to use rabbis to pressure Genter were unsuccessful. Genter has not announced his withdrawal from the race, and his party's chances of crossing the electoral threshold remain uncertain.
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