Expert Says Netanyahu Wants Offense Against Winter’s Solo Political Run
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Attorney Guy Busi said Netanyahu and Ofer Winter are not coordinating politically, with Netanyahu hoping Winter avoids a solo run to prevent splitting the right-wing vote. Netanyahu fears Winter’s candidacy could harm the right-wing bloc in upcoming elections. Winter refuses to join parties linked to the October 7 failures or Amir Ohana, leaving his political future uncertain.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu and Ofer Winter are not politically coordinated, says attorney Guy Busi.
- Winter declined a high-ranking reserved spot on a political list.
- Netanyahu fears Winter’s solo run could split the right-wing vote in upcoming elections.
- Right-wing activists push for alliances to prevent vote fragmentation.
- Winter refuses to join parties linked to October 7 failures or Amir Ohana.
- Netanyahu distrusts Winter, fearing vote loss to a government led by Eizenkot.
Attorney Guy Busi, a constitutional and administrative law expert, stated in a radio interview that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter are not coordinating politically. Busi explained that Winter declined a high-ranking reserved spot on a list, and Netanyahu’s best hope is that Winter does not run independently.
Netanyahu and many right-wing activists fear that Winter’s solo candidacy could split the right-wing vote in the upcoming elections, potentially causing a significant loss of mandates. Efforts are underway to encourage alliances among right-wing parties, including figures like Bezalel Smotrich, Moshe Feiglin, and Winter himself.
Recent reports revealed Netanyahu’s private concerns that Winter’s entry into politics might harm the right-wing bloc, either by wasting votes or by diverting them to a government led by Gadi Eizenkot, along with Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan. Netanyahu reportedly said, "I don’t trust Winter. He will either burn votes for the right or take votes from the right and transfer them to a government led by Eizenkot."
Winter reportedly insists on strict conditions regarding his political partners, refusing to join any party that included members involved in the October 7 failures, and also rejecting Amir Ohana, who was not part of that government. It remains unclear what Winter’s political direction will be, but right-wing activists believe he will not join left-wing factions or align with Eizenkot.
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