Smotrich Offers Vinter Ministerial Posts to Withdraw from Elections

Under the proposed deal, the ministerial post would be allocated from the Religious Zionism party's quota in future coalition negotiations. The role would grant Winter full authority, budgets, and staff to establish two new directorates: one for the voluntary emigration of residents from the Gaza Strip, and another for the recruitment and integration of the ultra-Orthodox community into the military and workforce.

Prior to the public offer, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Smotrich met with Winter's spiritual mentor, Rabbi Eli Sadan, in the Judea and Samaria community of Eli to pressure Winter to step down. Netanyahu also publicly urged Winter to withdraw, warning that splitting the right-wing vote could lead to a left-wing government, drawing comparisons to the 1992 elections.

Winter rejected the offer, vowing to continue his Knesset candidacy and refusing to yield on his principles. He accused political rivals of conducting a vile campaign against him, which he said included the harassment of candidates and their children, the use of private investigators, and pressure on his rabbis. Sources within his party dismissed the proposal as job politics.