The data is revealed: Who is behind the elimination campaign against Ofer Winter?

A network analysis by the Scooper company reveals that 26% of the criticism against Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter comes from the right, compared to 8% from the left. A Maariv reader poll shows that 62.8% estimate Winter will sit in the Netanyahu bloc, but 47% believe his party will not pass the electoral threshold. The campaign against him focuses on the claim that he will run alone and waste votes.

A network analysis by the Scooper company, published in Maariv, reveals the sources of the campaign against Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter ahead of the launch of his party. Between July 26 and August 24, 12,261 mentions of Winter were recorded, generating 195,703 likes, comments, and shares. 44% of the publications were critical of him, 20% defended him, and 36% were neutral. The notable figure: 26% of all publications came from the right, compared to only 8% from the left. The most common claim against him is not that he is a leftist, but that his independent run could waste votes and harm the bloc. Meanwhile, a Maariv reader poll shows that 62.8% of respondents estimate Winter will sit in the Netanyahu bloc, but 47% believe his party will not pass the electoral threshold. The turning point in the campaign came on August 23, when Gadi Taub tweeted: 'Right-wingers, Ofer Winter is not on our side. Details soon.' The tweet was shared 85 times and generated high engagement. From the left, criticism focuses on Winter's military past, alongside voices welcoming his candidacy on the assumption that it will split the right. The analysis notes that the harsh claims are not based on a political move he has already made, but on an interpretation of the future.