Netanyahu Tried to Dismantle Ofer Winter's Party Before List Submission
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates launched last-minute efforts to dismantle Ofer Winter's new party by attempting to recruit its second-place candidate, Yousef Haddad, to Likud. Haddad refused, while Likud escalated efforts against Winter over wasted right-wing votes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates made intense efforts until the final hours before the candidate lists submission deadline to dismantle the new party led by retired Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter. A primary focus of these efforts was directed at Yousef Haddad, the number two candidate on Winter's list, with attempts to convince him to accept a reserved slot in the ruling Likud party.
According to sources familiar with the discussions and overtures made by Netanyahu's bureau to Haddad's associates, the campaign continued until Monday, just before the Amech Yisrael party officially submitted its list to the Knesset. Haddad rejected the offers, and Amech Yisrael formally registered with him in the second spot. While Haddad had previously been considered for a secured spot in Likud, a formal and serious offer arrived only days before the launch of Winter's party, by which time Haddad had already reached an agreement with Winter. Even then, Haddad declined to join Likud, preferring the newly formed political vehicle.
Haddad Responds to Political Pressure
In an official response, Haddad explained that he chose Winter's party largely out of a desire to be part of a political framework that introduces a "new spirit" to the national legislature.
«It is no secret that various parties approached members of the Amech Yisrael team and myself directly and indirectly with all sorts of offers. But as we promised from the very first moment, the Amech Yisrael party will bring exclusively a new spirit to the Knesset, exactly as the people want. We are running together as a unified fist, and we will do everything to ensure that what was before will not happen again. Have you not understood that our word is our bond?» Haddad said in a statement.
Winter's party currently hovers near the electoral threshold in most public opinion polls. Even when it successfully clears the threshold, polls generally project it winning only four mandates—a precarious margin for any new faction facing Israel's high electoral threshold.
Netanyahu's Direct Approach to Winter
Winter himself was also in Netanyahu's sights for a reserved slot before he unveiled his party. Netanyahu approached Winter through intermediaries, urging him to abandon his independent plans and secure a spot within Likud. Winter made it clear to his associates that he was not interested, and a personal meeting subsequently took place between the two. During that encounter, Winter maintained his stance, stating unequivocally that he intended to establish an independent party and run through to the end.
This refusal ultimately triggered a targeted campaign by Likud against Winter, aimed at eroding his public support and siphoning away potential voters. After attempts to pressure Winter into merging with Bezalel Smotrich failed, Netanyahu and Likud shifted to delegitimizing Winter on the political right, arguing that his independent run endangers the stability of the entire coalition bloc.
Coalition Concerns Over Wasted Votes
Expressing the ruling party's concerns, Minister Yoav Kisch stated during the candidate submission process:
«I am very concerned about wasted votes on Winter's party. I am saying this in the clearest possible manner: right-wing voters must not vote for such a party, but only for established bloc parties that cross the electoral threshold.»
A critical question now facing the coalition is whether any faction will sign a surplus vote agreement with Winter's party. While Likud has finalized its surplus agreements with the Religious Zionism party, and the ultra-Orthodox factions Shas and United Torah Judaism have traditionally coordinated among themselves, the only viable remaining option for Winter is National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's faction.
On one hand, Netanyahu remains reluctant to grant any formal political legitimacy to Winter; on the other hand, he is keen to avoid losing potential right-wing surplus votes or leaving Ben Gvir without an agreement partner.
