Likud Officials Urge Support for Ofer Winter Amid Right-Wing Bloc Concerns

Amid mounting pressure on Ofer Winter to drop out of the Knesset race, which included a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Rabbi Eli Sadan, senior Likud members are increasingly calling for a change of direction.

Strategic Debate within Likud

Several veteran ministers and MKs in the ruling party argue that continuing attacks on Winter constitute a strategic mistake. Instead of working to force his withdrawal, they suggest Likud should help him cross the electoral threshold. According to these officials, "Winter is the only figure who could secure 61 mandates for the right-wing bloc." However, sources within Likud report that Netanyahu refuses to entertain the possibility. "There is no point even talking to him about it, he is unwilling to listen," one official stated.

Likud insiders claim that Prime Minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu, is driving the fierce opposition to Winter. They assert she is convinced that Winter is coordinated with Avigdor Lieberman and therefore opposes any move that might help him enter the parliament. "She is certain that Winter is aligned with Lieberman, and it is impossible to convince her otherwise or bring about a change of direction," the sources claimed.

Coalition Concerns and Rabbinic Meetings

Nathan Eshel, an associate of Netanyahu, commented on the dynamic: > "In Religious Zionism, they never listened to rabbis. They didn't listen to Rabbi Neria, they didn't listen to Rabbi Druckman, they didn't listen to Rabbi Amital, and certainly they won't listen to Rabbi Eli Sadan, whom I deeply respect as a classmate. What journalists and politicians fail to understand is that we listen to rabbis on matters of Jewish law, not politics. We are not Haredim, who have also stopped listening to their rabbis."

A high-level meeting took place between Prime Minister Netanyahu, Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Rabbi Eli Sadan, head of the Bnei David pre-military academy in Eli and Winter's spiritual mentor. The urgent gathering was convened following internal polls revealing growing anxiety over the right-wing bloc losing its majority due to wasted votes from splinter parties.

Winter Responds

Speaking at a parlor meeting, Ofer Winter sharply criticized Netanyahu over the Prime Minister's outreach to Rabbi Sadan.

"An ugly campaign! I tell you, the time has come for different leadership, a leadership that takes responsibility!" Winter declared.