Former Netanyahu Adviser Warns Of Religious Zionism Faction Failing Threshold

Aviv Bushinsky, former communications adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed serious concerns on 103fm radio about the political impact of Ofir Winter's party ahead of the upcoming elections. Bushinsky warned that Winter's presence could cause the Religious Zionism bloc to fail crossing the electoral threshold, describing it as a significant problem for Netanyahu and the Likud party. He noted that Winter's ultra-right views, including support for settlements in both the West Bank and Gaza, alienate voters and risk splitting the right-wing vote.

Bushinsky explained that Netanyahu's current strategy appears to be to let both Winter and other right-wing factions compete intensely, hoping to resolve the issue at the last minute. He pointed out that Netanyahu has not yet assigned candidates to the three realistic spots on the Likud list, likely waiting to see how the situation develops over the next two weeks. Bushinsky also criticized Netanyahu for seemingly not trusting even his own pollsters.

The former adviser emphasized that Winter's party is not a minor concern like other small factions barely passing the threshold, but a real threat to the right-wing coalition's electoral success. This warning highlights internal challenges within the Israeli right ahead of the elections and Netanyahu's delicate balancing act to maintain unity and voter support.