Pressure on small right-wing parties grows: In Likud, calls to change strategy toward Vinter

Pressure on small right-wing parties is increasing ahead of the elections, and internal criticism is heard in Likud over the campaign against Ofer Vinter. Netanyahu and Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan in an attempt to prevent wasted votes, while Vinter makes clear his party will compete until the end.

Pressure on small right-wing parties is increasing ahead of the elections, amid fears of wasted votes below the electoral threshold. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan, who taught Ofer Vinter at the Ali preparatory program, in an attempt to influence him. Meanwhile, internal WhatsApp group chats of Likud field activists, revealed by Walla, expose criticism of the campaign against Vinter. One activist wrote: "When will you understand that the only one blocking Eisenkot's government is Vinter. If he doesn't pass, the right won't have a government for the next four years." Another participant claimed that "the attack on him has completely failed" and called for a change in strategy. Vinter himself wrote this morning to his party candidates that he is not giving up, described the campaign against him as "a scare campaign using a cruel campaign" and promised: "We will be a big surprise."