not everywhere· Politics· Updated 13 Oct, 22:35

Key Candidate Quits Ofer Winter's Party Amid Election Fears

Dovidi Ben Zion, who was ranked eighth on the Am Yisrael party list led by Ofer Winter, announced his resignation on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. His departure, coming less than three weeks before the Knesset elections on October 27, was prompted by declining poll numbers and fears of splitting the right-wing vote.

5 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 13 Oct, 20:00

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What happened

01Dovidi Ben Zion resigned from Ofer Winter's Am Yisrael party list on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
02The resignation occurred less than three weeks before the Knesset elections scheduled for October 27.
03Am Yisrael was polling at 1.8 percent, failing to reach the 3.25 percent electoral threshold.
04Ben Zion withdrew to prevent splitting the right-wing vote and wasting votes on a party unlikely to pass.
05Pressure was applied by Likud, the Religious Zionism party, and Samaria Chief Rabbi Elyakim Levanon.
06Signs demanding Ben Zion's resignation were placed in his hometown, causing distress to his family.
07The Am Yisrael party accused unnamed actors of using threats and harassment against Ben Zion's family.
08Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the move and urged Ofer Winter to withdraw.

Recent polls placed the party at 1.8 percent, well below the 3.25 percent electoral threshold. Commentator Shlomo Filber warned that the right-wing bloc was falling short of a 64-seat majority due to votes going to parties unlikely to pass the threshold. Ben Zion, who is also the deputy head of the Samaria Regional Council, stated he did not want to contribute to lost right-wing votes.

Ben Zion faced intense political and personal pressure to withdraw. This included pressure from Likud, the Religious Zionism party, and Samaria Chief Rabbi Elyakim Levanon. Signs calling for his resignation were displayed in his hometown, causing significant personal distress to his wife. The Am Yisrael party condemned what it described as improper pressure, threats, and harassment directed at Ben Zion and his family.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the resignation. Netanyahu compared Winter to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, warning against splitting the right-wing vote, and urged other party members to follow Ben Zion's lead. Smotrich praised Ben Zion's national responsibility and called on Winter, Eran Ben Ari, and Li Deri to also withdraw from the race.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 5 newsrooms. Updated 00:31

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