Winter's Election Gamble: Will Am Echad Israel Cross Threshold?
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter's Am Echad Israel party is facing a significant challenge to cross the 3.25% electoral threshold in Israel's 26th Knesset elections. Despite pressure to withdraw and polls showing low support, Winter insists on running independently to promote his agenda. His party's performance could impact the right-wing bloc's ability to secure a majority, with final results pending the vote count.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Am Echad Israel, led by Ofer Winter, is struggling to pass the 3.25% electoral threshold in the upcoming Knesset elections.
- Winter is campaigning on security reform, Jewish identity, and ultra-Orthodox conscription, while supporting Netanyahu.
- Polls show the party with only 1.9% support, raising concerns about wasted votes for the right-wing bloc.
- Winter has rejected calls to withdraw or merge, vowing to run independently until the end.
- The party faced a setback with the departure of candidate Dovide Ben Zion in October.
As Israelis head to the polls for the 26th Knesset elections, a key question is whether the Am Echad Israel party, led by retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, will overcome the electoral threshold. Winter, who announced his party's formation shortly before the deadline, has become a significant figure vying for right-wing votes, but recent polls cast doubt on his party's ability to enter the Knesset.
Winter's campaign has focused on his military experience, advocating for deep security system reforms following the October 7th events, strengthening Jewish identity, and a firm stance on the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men. He has also declared support for Binyamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, while seeking to replace those responsible for the security failures that led to the recent events.
Throughout the election campaign, Winter faced pressure to withdraw or merge with another party, amid concerns that his supporters' votes would not translate into Knesset seats. However, Winter has remained committed to an independent run, even as some polls placed his party below the 3.25% electoral threshold. In October, the party experienced a shake-up with the departure of Dovide Ben Zion, who was ranked eighth on the list. Despite this, the party affirmed its intention to continue the race, with Winter stating, "We will not surrender, we are running to the end with all our might."
Offers of positions and responsibilities in the next government, mentioned during the campaign, did not sway Winter's decision. For him, the campaign is not just about securing Knesset seats but about establishing an independent political force to advance his views. A poll conducted on October 20th by NEXT DATA showed Am Echad Israel with only 1.9% of the vote, significantly below the threshold. This means that any votes cast for the party would not be counted towards seat allocation. In a close election, the loss of votes from a party supporting Netanyahu could impact the right-wing bloc's ability to form a majority.
It remains uncertain how many seats the right-wing bloc would gain or lose if Winter had withdrawn, as some of his voters might have abstained or chosen other parties. The final vote count will reveal whether Winter has surprised pollsters by bringing a new party into the Knesset, or if his decision to run until the end will influence the final political balance.
