First publication: Netanyahu and Leitner meeting at Likud headquarters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met last night with Moti Leitner, chairman of the Haredi public party, in an attempt to convince him to withdraw from the Knesset race, fearing a loss of votes for the right-wing camp. Meanwhile, efforts continue to also convince Ofer Winter to withdraw.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met last night (Tuesday) after midnight with Moti Leitner, chairman of the 'Haredi Public' party, at Likud headquarters. The purpose of the meeting was to convince Leitner to remove his candidacy from the Knesset race, due to concerns that his party would not pass the electoral threshold and would cause a loss of votes for the right-wing camp. The meeting was preceded by intense negotiations over the past week between Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich and Leitner. According to sources familiar with the details, several options were offered to Leitner in exchange for withdrawal, including a joint press conference with Netanyahu, a written agreement preserving the party's future political power, and Leitner's appointment as a project manager for Haredi public affairs. Simultaneously, efforts continue to also bring about the withdrawal of Ofer Winter, chairman of the 'Amcha Israel' party. Netanyahu and Smotrich met with Winter's rabbis at the Eli pre-military academy, including Rabbi Yigal Levinstein and Rabbi Yehuda Sdan, and presented internal polls indicating a danger of losing seats for the right-wing bloc. Winter responded harshly and attacked Netanyahu and Smotrich.