Threat or the long-awaited good news? Ofer Winter shakes up the right

Ofer Winter announces a new party, eating into mandates from Likud, Religious Zionism, and Otzma Yehudit. Joseph Haddad is expected to be number two, and journalist Netaly Shem Tov joins. Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Ben Gvir try to hold the bloc together, while Winter signals political independence and refuses to join forces with sitting politicians.

Ofer Winter, the most promising candidate according to mandate forecasts, announces a new party and shakes up the right-wing bloc. According to polls, Winter eats into mandates from Likud, Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit, and right-wing opposition voters. Joseph Haddad is expected to be number two on the list, and journalist Netaly Shem Tov joins after refusing an offer from Likud. Winter announced he will not sit with current or former politicians and ruled out joining forces with Gilad Erdan and Religious Zionism. The late launch is intended to limit the ability of right-wing leaders to harm him before the submission of lists. Netanyahu is watching internal polls but still does not have 61 mandates. Smotrich and Ben Gvir will not run together, and Ben Gvir is eyeing the defense portfolio. The analysis points to tension between Winter and Netanyahu and concern in Likud over the success of Ben Gvir's campaign.