Netanyahu and Smotrich Meet Rabbi to Urge Party Leader's Withdrawal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan, head of the Eli pre-military academy and former rabbi to Ofer Winter, in a renewed effort to persuade Winter to withdraw his party, Am Israel, from the upcoming elections. Sources close to Netanyahu and Smotrich stated that the meeting was prompted by internal polls conducted on October 25th, which indicated a growing concern that Winter's party would not pass the electoral threshold, potentially wasting votes for the Netanyahu bloc.

Netanyahu has reportedly been campaigning against Winter for months, fearing he would siphon votes. With the election just a week away, the pressure is intensifying. The primary objective is to prevent votes from being lost entirely if Winter's party fails to clear the 2.8% threshold, as suggested by a recent Channel 12 poll showing Am Israel at 2.8%.

Following the news of the meeting, Winter responded to Netanyahu, stating, "Folks, get it. The people of Israel want different politics. The people of Israel are fed up with the ugly and unethical campaign you have led and the dishonest methods you are using. Say what you are good at, instead of stepping on others to rise." He added, "We came to present an alternative of different leadership for the right. Leadership that takes responsibility, leadership that knows how to say I failed, I erred. Leadership that has love and knows how to connect all of Israel. Respectful leadership. Smotrich, this is the way of the Torah of Israel. You have a lot of resources, but we have the inner truth, we are here only for the people of Israel and we are going all the way with all our might."