Netanyahu Pushes for Right-Wing Unity Ahead of Elections
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich are intensifying efforts to persuade Ofer Winter, head of the "Am Ich Israel" party, to join their bloc ahead of the upcoming elections. The goal is to consolidate votes supporting Netanyahu and prevent fragmentation on the right. The proposal reportedly offered to Winter includes the second spot on Smotrich's list, additional secure positions within the top ten, and two reserved spots on the Likud list for Joseph Haddad and Fler Hassan Nahum, who accompanied Winter to the negotiations.
However, Winter has reiterated his stance that he has no intention of uniting with incumbent politicians. This push for unity comes after a previous report that Netanyahu had offered Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, reserved spots on the Likud list in exchange for merging with Smotrich's party. Netanyahu is also reportedly engaging with Winter's rabbis to exert further pressure for a merger.
Communications figure Yaakov Bardugo is actively involved in facilitating these discussions. Netanyahu met with Ben-Gvir and Smotrich on Friday, emphasizing the need to avoid wasting votes. Ben-Gvir rejected the idea of a joint run between Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism, declaring the decision final. Following this refusal, Likud criticized Ben-Gvir, accusing him of enabling a left-wing government.
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