Jerusalem:Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly sought the assistance of a prominent rabbi in a bid to convince Amcha Yisrael party leader Ofer Winter to step down from the forthcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. This move arises from concerns that Winter's participation could fragment the right-wing vote.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Netanyahu visited the Bnei David pre-military academy located in the Eli settlement in the occupied West Bank. During this visit, he met with Rabbi Eli Sadan, accompanied by Finance Minister and Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich. The purpose of the meeting was to leverage Rabbi Sadan's close ties with Winter to persuade him to withdraw from the election race.
The report mentioned that Netanyahu and Smotrich shared the latest opinion polls with Rabbi Sadan, highlighting the potential impact of multiple small parties competing in the elections, which could result in the right-wing bloc losing seats. They also noted the opposition's strengthened position after Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz's withdrawal earlier in the week.
In a video response published by the newspaper, Winter accused Netanyahu and Smotrich of attempting to exert pressure on him. He emphasized his intention to provide an alternative to the current right-wing leadership that focuses on responsibility, acknowledging mistakes, and fostering unity among Israelis. Winter asserted that his party plans to continue its electoral campaign until the end.
The article also detailed electoral pressures, noting that Davidi Ben Zion, a candidate on Winter's electoral list, withdrew last week due to pressure from individuals close to Smotrich and rabbis in the West Bank. Concerns were raised that the party's inability to cross the electoral threshold could lead to wasted votes, prompting Ben Zion's decision.
Winter has previously stated that Netanyahu would be accountable for the collapse of the right-wing bloc if his party fails to meet the electoral threshold. Calls for Winter's withdrawal from within the governing coalition have grown, especially in light of opinion polls indicating his party's failure to surpass the 3.25% threshold.
The upcoming election, set against a backdrop of significant political divisions, sees Netanyahu admitting uncertainty about victory and expressing worry. A recent poll by the public broadcaster KAN showed Netanyahu's bloc losing seats, trailing behind the opposition bloc led by Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot. The polls suggest neither bloc currently holds the 61 seats required for a majority in the Knesset.