Decision in Likud: Vinter is dangerous to the bloc – and may join Bennett and Lieberman

At a campaign meeting in the Likud, it was decided that Ofer Vinter, chairman of the "Amcha Yisrael" party, is dangerous to the right-wing bloc and may join MKs Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman. Netanyahu is expected to order action against him with full force. The "Amcha Yisrael" party responded harshly and threatened retaliation.

At a campaign meeting held today in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, it was decided that Ofer Vinter, chairman of the "Amcha Yisrael" party, is dangerous to the right-wing bloc and may join MKs Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman. Netanyahu is expected to instruct party members to act against Vinter with full force. In the previous meeting, a heated argument developed: Minister Shlomo Karhi claimed that Vinter is "Kaplan's hope" and warned that if he wins and crosses over, he will join the left – and if he doesn't cross over, he burns votes for the bloc. Minister Ze'ev Elkin added that if the reports about Sharon Shalom in his camp are true, it is "full-on Lieberman." In response, the "Amcha Yisrael" party issued a sharp statement: "The concern in the Likud about votes moving to Amcha Yisrael is clear. It's no coincidence that the Likud pursued to secure the senior members of the Amcha Yisrael party until the last moment and failed." They added: "We didn't come to fight, but we're not suckers. We won't be punching bags. Whoever comes to fight should expect a response."