Netanyahu's additional step against Winter in an attempt to bring about his resignation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan, former rabbi of Ofer Winter, in an attempt to persuade Winter to withdraw from the 2026 election race. According to associates, internal polls raise concerns that Winter will not pass the electoral threshold, wasting votes for the Netanyahu bloc. Winter responded harshly: "The people of Israel are fed up with the ugly and unethical campaign you have led." He added that he represents an alternative leadership for the right and is going "all the way with full force."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan, the former rabbi of Ofer Winter, chairman of Amcha Israel, in an attempt to persuade Winter to withdraw from the 2026 election race. The meeting took place against the backdrop of internal polls, which according to sources close to the two, raise concerns that Winter will not pass the electoral threshold and will cause a waste of votes for the Netanyahu bloc. Winter responded with a sharp statement: "The people of Israel are fed up with the ugly and unethical campaign you have led." He added that he represents an alternative leadership for the right, and that he is going "all the way with full force."