Number 2 in Yisrael Beiteinu on the friendship between Winter and Lieberman: "It won't affect politics"

Rafi Ben Shtrit, the number 2 in Yisrael Beiteinu, dismissed concerns that the long-standing friendship between Avigdor Lieberman and Ofer Winter would affect politics. Ben Shtrit said Winter is worthy but there are red lines, and if he aligns with the next coalition – the Coalition of Repair and Hope – he is welcome to join.

Rafi Ben Shtrit, the number 2 in the Yisrael Beiteinu party, dismissed concerns in the opposition and coalition during an interview on 103FM that the long-standing friendship between party chairman Avigdor Lieberman and former minister Ofer Winter would affect politics. Ben Shtrit said Winter is a worthy man and he agrees with his aggressive approach regarding the defeat of Hamas, but noted that Winter is a proxy of Netanyahu. The central dispute, according to him, concerns a state commission of inquiry: Winter supports a commission appointed by the Knesset, while Yisrael Beiteinu demands a state commission of inquiry as defined by law. Ben Shtrit expressed doubt whether the parties would cooperate in the next Knesset, but did not rule out the possibility. He stated that if Winter aligns with the Coalition of Repair and Hope (Bennett, Lapid, Yair Golan, and Eisenkot) – he is welcome to join, but if he recommends Netanyahu and opposes a state commission of inquiry – he should find another way.

Number 2 in Yisrael Beiteinu on the friendship between Winter and Lieberman: "It won't affect politics"