Netanyahu and Winter Trade Barbs Days Before Election

Days before the upcoming elections, a sharp exchange has erupted between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ofer Winter, chairman of the 'Amcha Israel' party. Netanyahu, in an interview, warned that Winter's independent candidacy could endanger the national camp and lead to a left-wing government.

Winter responded forcefully, accusing Netanyahu of a smear campaign designed to cover up ongoing failures. "After you slandered, lied, and insulted bereaved families, now the problem of the right is Ofer Winter?" he questioned. Winter listed perceived failures such as not integrating the ultra-Orthodox into the IDF, indecisiveness in Gaza, Hezbollah's rearmament, and a video about Iran's nuclear capabilities, sarcastically suggesting these were not the real issues, but rather his candidacy.

Netanyahu claimed he had offered Winter a senior position in the Likud party and proposed right-wing alliances to prevent vote splitting, but Winter refused. The Prime Minister recounted Winter's alleged dismissive response and his subsequent embrace of Eizenkot, stating, "He said 'Bibi can jump on my head,' these are the words." Netanyahu also cited Winter's past statement about recommending Netanyahu, implying a change of heart.

Netanyahu urged right-wing voters to turn out in large numbers, avoid splitting their votes, and support the Likud to ensure a decisive victory. He emphasized the critical nature of the election for Israel's security, particularly concerning the Iranian threat, and mentioned that U.S. President Donald Trump is prepared to act with him to eliminate this threat. Netanyahu asserted that Israel narrowly avoided destruction last year due to his actions and that the current political map is a tight 60-60 tie, where a few votes could determine the outcome.