Ofer Winter’s Party Endorses Netanyahu as PM; Netanyahu Urges Smotrich and Ben Gvir to Unite

Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Amcha Israel" party, officially announced on Thursday that if his party passes the electoral threshold, it will recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister. Winter emphasized his party’s alignment with the right-wing camp, stating, "The leader of the right-wing camp is Netanyahu. We will only recommend him, but we will not dance to anyone’s tune." He also noted that despite the coalition including ultra-Orthodox parties, there will be integration of Haredim into the IDF, with or without the Haredi political activists. Winter further mentioned plans for voluntary migration from Gaza, beyond just managing migration, though he did not specify which countries might accept Gazans after previous refusals. He promised a coalition with "real public diplomacy, not just a propaganda ministry," and vowed decisive governance rather than mere tolerance.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu released a video urging Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to run on a joint list as they did in the previous election, warning that failure to unite could lead to defeat. He acknowledged their personal differences but stressed the need to overcome them, promising to meet with them soon to push for unity. Ben Gvir responded by accusing Netanyahu of wanting a smaller Otzma Yehudit to partner with Benny Gantz and form a broad national government, insisting that only a large Otzma Yehudit, uniting Winter and Smotrich, can enable a fully right-wing government.

Netanyahu countered Ben Gvir’s remarks by urging him not to jeopardize the right-wing bloc, warning that without unity, a left-wing government including Gantz and Arab parties could emerge. Smotrich also called for unity and responsibility within the national camp amid his poor polling numbers. Ben Gvir later argued that a joint list with Smotrich would cost Otzma Yehudit 3-4 seats due to voter abstention, threatening the right-wing government’s survival, and cited Netanyahu’s own assessment that a joint Winter-Smotrich list would best capture undecided voters, as Winter does not attract them alone.