Former IDF general Ofer Winter is in talks to join forces with the newly formed Haredi party, i24NEWS reports, while removing a potential merger with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from consideration.
The Zioneer has tracked Winter's political maneuvers since June, when reports first indicated he was exploring a new right-wing party. Subsequent reports documented his refusal to merge with Moshe Feiglin's Zehut and his stated intention not to run with Smotrich, whom he described as 'sectoral.' Winter, a former IDF general who led the Gaza Division and has been a prominent voice in the religious-Zionist camp, has positioned himself as an alternative to Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The reported talks with the new Haredi party — formed earlier this year by former members of Shas and United Torah Judaism — suggest a further realignment on Israel's right flank. Neither Winter nor the party has officially commented on the report.
2 developments
- DevelopingOfer Winter says he will not join any existing party, attacks Eisenkot in leaked recordings
- DevelopingReport: Ofer Winter to make final decision this week, plans party to draw votes from Ben Gvir, Smotrich
- DevelopingAvraham Hasson publishes names of figures offered to join Ofer Winter's new party
- DevelopingPolitical analyst: Ofer Winter considering running with independent party
Source and signal
- Open-source intake