First publication: Netanyahu and Laitner meeting at Likud headquarters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met last night with Moti Laitner, chairman of the Haredi public party, in an attempt to convince him to withdraw from the Knesset race, fearing a loss of votes for the right-wing camp. Meanwhile, efforts continue to also convince Ofer Winter to withdraw.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met last night (Tuesday) after midnight with Moti Laitner, chairman of the 'Haredi Public' party, at Likud headquarters. The purpose of the meeting was to convince Laitner to remove his candidacy from the Knesset race, due to concerns that his party would not pass the electoral threshold and would cause a loss of votes for the right-wing camp. The meeting was preceded by intensive negotiations over the past week between Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich and Laitner. According to sources familiar with the details, several options were offered to Laitner in exchange for withdrawal, including holding a joint press conference with Netanyahu, a written agreement preserving the party's political power in the future, and appointing Laitner as a project coordinator for Haredi public affairs. Meanwhile, efforts continue to also bring about the withdrawal of Ofer Winter, chairman of the 'Amcha Israel' party. Netanyahu and Smotrich met with Winter's rabbis at the Eli pre-military academy, including Rabbi Yigal Levinstein and Rabbi Yehuda Sadan, and presented internal polls indicating a danger of losing seats for the right-wing bloc. Winter responded harshly and attacked Netanyahu and Smotrich.