Reserve Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter reportedly told associates he intends to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the 61st Knesset seat needed for a coalition, referencing a '61st finger'. The remark adds specificity to his earlier hints of entering politics.
Wednesday morning, Reserve Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter reportedly provided a more precise clarification to associates: he intends to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the 61st Knesset seat — the '61st finger' — directly contributing the vote needed to form a coalition. The remark sharpens his previous political signals, which until now had referred broadly to entering politics and supporting the right-wing bloc.
The Zioneer reported earlier today (Wed 09:24 Jerusalem) that Winter was expected to announce a new political party next Tuesday, with campaign signs hung nationwide and reported talks with candidates including Lali Deri and Yoseph Haddad. Simultaneously, Winter confirmed his support for Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc, with a sign referencing his entry hung near the Ayalon Highway.
As The Zioneer reported, Winter has positioned himself firmly within the right-wing camp. The latest report adds a specific legislative target — the 61st seat, which would give the coalition a working majority.
The report of the '61st finger' comment comes from a single Israeli media source and has not been independently verified. It remains unclear whether Winter will launch his own party or seek to align with an existing list, and what role he envisions for himself in the next Knesset.
3 developments
- StrongWinter associates: He will serve only under Netanyahu, in broader coalition without Haredim as '61st finger'
- DevelopingChief of Staff says he will not give Netanyahu the 61st coalition seat
- StrongIsrael Hayom poll: hypothetical Ofer Winter party wins 5 seats, shifts two mandates to Netanyahu bloc
- StrongNetanyahu demands 11 ministerial portfolios in top 40 Knesset slots
Source and signal
- Open-source intake