Prominent Rabbi Publicly Backs Party Leader, Defying Netanyahu and Smotrich

Two days before elections, Rabbi Eli Sadan, Rosh Yeshiva of the Eli Pre-Military Academy, has publicly endorsed Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Yisrael" party. This move thwarts efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Bezalel Smotrich to persuade Winter to withdraw his party from the election.

In a recording released Sunday, Rabbi Sadan stated, "I believe that only if he passes the electoral threshold will Netanyahu have a full right-wing government, and that is what I hope for." He explained his public statement was to counter false information circulating in his name. "I initially decided to remain silent, but I was shown that they were publishing that I supposedly said not to vote for Winter because he would not pass the threshold, that is not true. I wish Ofer success in passing."

This declaration marks an apparent failure for the pressure campaign led by Netanyahu and Smotrich in recent days. Last week, both leaders visited Rabbi Sadan at his home in Eli, attempting to enlist his support in urging Winter to withdraw. The meeting at the rabbi's home was also attended by Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, the founder's son Rabbi Yehuda Sadan, and two alumni of the academy who now hold key political positions: Netanyahu's Chief of Staff Ido Norden and the Religious Zionism campaign manager Omer Rahamim.

Winter, who is close to Rabbi Sadan, has recently emphasized that while he consults with rabbis, he makes his final decisions independently. He who shoots himself in the foot shouldn't be surprised if he limps."

The "Am Yisrael" party is in a close race for survival. According to the latest poll aggregation released Friday before the survey ban took effect, the list had not yet passed the electoral threshold, though it was reportedly approaching it.