"Winter is saving the right. Smotrich is not succeeding in bringing them"

Ahead of the launch of Brigadier General (res.) Ofer Winter's new party, the name of Kobi Elraz, a former associate of Avigdor Lieberman, has been revealed as an advisor to Winter who may be placed on the party list. Winter intends to run as an independent party, without merging with Religious Zionism, offering an alternative for disappointed right-wing voters.

Ahead of the launch of Brigadier General (res.) Ofer Winter's new party, scheduled for the day after tomorrow, the name of Kobi Elraz has been revealed as an advisor to Winter who may be placed on the party list. Elraz, long considered close to Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman, previously served as an advisor on settlement affairs at the Ministry of Defense under various ministers, including Moshe Ya'alon, Lieberman, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Naftali Bennett. About a year ago, Elraz distanced himself from Lieberman due to his desire to remain in the Netanyahu bloc. There is an ideological affinity between Elraz and Winter, particularly on the issue of Haredi conscription: both believe that a Torah scholar is equal to a soldier, but those who do not study must enlist. Winter intends to run to the end as an independent party, without merging with the Religious Zionism party led by Bezalel Smotrich. Winter's message is that he is in the Netanyahu bloc and aims to offer a political alternative for right-wing voters who do not find a home in existing parties. The new party raises concerns among right-wing party figures that it may lead to wasted votes in the bloc. Elraz said that Winter "is saving the right" and that Smotrich "is not succeeding in bringing them."