People of Israel candidate quits Ofer Winter's party amid mounting pressure from right-wing rivals

Davidi Ben Zion, a candidate on Ofer Winter's People of Israel party list, withdrew from the race two weeks before the elections following a campaign urging him to step aside over concerns the party could endanger the right-wing bloc's electoral prospects. Winter condemned the campaign as a disgraceful, low campaign, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the withdrawal and called on other candidates to follow suit.

Davidi Ben Zion, a candidate on Ofer Winter's People of Israel party list, announced his withdrawal from the race on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, two weeks before the elections. The withdrawal followed an intensive campaign urging him to step aside over concerns that the party could endanger the right-wing bloc's electoral prospects. In his resignation statement, Ben Zion cited his military service following the October 7 attacks and a sense of responsibility, stating that based on the emerging picture, the risk of failing to cross the electoral threshold is high and he is not prepared to let votes go to waste. People of Israel chairman Ofer Winter responded sharply, condemning the campaign against members of his party as a disgraceful, low campaign that descended to personal attacks and included signs hung near candidates' homes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Ben Zion's decision and called on other candidates on Winter's list to withdraw as well, warning that Winter's candidacy endangers the right-wing bloc and will lead to a left-wing government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also praised Ben Zion's step as one of national responsibility and called on Winter and the remaining candidates to follow his example, warning of the consequences of a left-wing government coming to power.