Expert Says Netanyahu Wants Offense Against Winter’s Solo Political Run

Attorney Guy Busi, a constitutional and administrative law expert, stated in a radio interview that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter are not coordinating politically. Busi explained that Winter declined a high-ranking reserved spot on a list, and Netanyahu’s best hope is that Winter does not run independently.

Netanyahu and many right-wing activists fear that Winter’s solo candidacy could split the right-wing vote in the upcoming elections, potentially causing a significant loss of mandates. Efforts are underway to encourage alliances among right-wing parties, including figures like Bezalel Smotrich, Moshe Feiglin, and Winter himself.

Recent reports revealed Netanyahu’s private concerns that Winter’s entry into politics might harm the right-wing bloc, either by wasting votes or by diverting them to a government led by Gadi Eizenkot, along with Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan. Netanyahu reportedly said, "I don’t trust Winter. He will either burn votes for the right or take votes from the right and transfer them to a government led by Eizenkot."

Winter reportedly insists on strict conditions regarding his political partners, refusing to join any party that included members involved in the October 7 failures, and also rejecting Amir Ohana, who was not part of that government. It remains unclear what Winter’s political direction will be, but right-wing activists believe he will not join left-wing factions or align with Eizenkot.