Netanyahu's additional step against Vinter 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 Vinter, in an attempt to persuade Vinter to withdraw from the 2026 election race. Associates say internal polls raise concerns that Vinter will not pass the electoral threshold, wasting votes for the Netanyahu bloc. Vinter 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, former rabbi of Ofer Vinter, chairman of Amcha Israel, in an attempt to persuade Vinter to withdraw from the 2026 election race. The meeting took place against the backdrop of internal polls, which according to associates of the two, raise concerns that Vinter will not pass the electoral threshold and will cause a waste of votes for the Netanyahu bloc. Vinter responded in 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."