Israel Hayom reported Monday that subordinates of former IDF general Ofer Winter are again urging him to join forces with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite his stated and final decision not to do so.
Israel Hayom political correspondent Ariel Kahana reported Monday that former subordinates of retired IDF General Ofer Winter are renewing calls for him to join forces with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite Winter's stated final decision not to do so.
Earlier Monday at 07:27 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Winter rejected an overnight mediation offer to run on a joint slate with Smotrich and is expected to submit his independent candidate list. Over preceding months, Winter has consistently ruled out joining any existing party — on Jun 23 he announced he would not join any party, on Aug 25 his associates said he would only serve under Netanyahu in a broader coalition where Haredi parties are not the decisive 61st seat, and on Sep 1 he canceled recruitment efforts by existing parties, stating 'Israel demands something new.'
As The Zioneer reported on Aug 10, Winter had been planning a party that would draw votes from Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Channel 14's Avraham Hasson reported on Aug 5 that figures had been offered roles in Winter's party. A political commentator argued in July that Winter should join Likud or Otzma Yehudit, warning that an independent list would waste right-wing mandates.
Winter has not responded publicly to the renewed calls. His independent list submission remains expected but unconfirmed.
2 developments
- DevelopingReport: Ofer Winter to make final decision this week, plans party to draw votes from Ben Gvir, Smotrich
- DevelopingOfer Winter says he will not run with Smotrich, calls himself 'not sectoral'
- DevelopingPolitical commentator: Ofer Winter should join Likud or Otzma Yehudit
- StrongOfer Winter seeks defense minister portfolio, journalist reports
Source and signal
- Open-source intake