Ex-Party Member Explains Exit, Criticizes Potential Government Alliances

Dovidi Ben Zion, who left the "Am Israel" party two weeks before the elections, stated in an interview on Channel 14 that he took responsibility for his decision to withdraw, implying others would need to explain theirs. Ben Zion emphasized that while he respects Ophir Winter as a decorated military commander and does not wish to tarnish his image, his own departure was motivated by a sense of responsibility towards the right-wing bloc. He feared Winter's continued candidacy would harm the bloc's chances of forming a government.

Ben Zion explained his decision stemmed from a general sense of responsibility, aiming to prevent the party's continued participation from negatively impacting the right's prospects. He acknowledged the election results, noting the lack of a clear 61-seat majority for any side, describing it as the current reality.

He urged party leaders to pursue political alliances and form a broad government to extricate Israel from its current political stalemate. Ben Zion also sharply criticized the possibility of a government relying on the Joint List, stating that even their abstention would not be acceptable to him.