Yair Netanyahu criticizes Winter's new party as reports emerge over connection with PM

Yair Netanyahu, son of the incumbent prime minister, launched a scathing critique of Ofer Winter's new political party, "Amcha Yisrael," on Tuesday. In a social media post, Netanyahu also leveled accusations at Yoseph Haddad, the party's No. 2 candidate. The prime minister's son claimed that Winter's party would result in Benjamin Netanyahu's loss in the upcoming election to Gadi Eisenkot.

Yair Netanyahu laid out three potential outcomes if Winter ran alone. He stated that Winter failing to pass the electoral threshold would lead to the formation of a government with Netanyahu, Yair Golan, and Mansour Abbas at the helm. If Winter passed the threshold but Smotrich fell short, the same government would be formed. Lastly, if neither Winter nor Smotrich crossed the threshold, the same coalition would still come to power.

Netanyahu concluded his remarks by stating that "mathematically there cannot be any other outcome," emphasizing that the Tehiya Party, previously led by Winter, had a significant role in the Rabin government and the subsequent Oslo disaster.

Reports have emerged concerning the connection between Netanyahu and Winter. According to Channel 13, Winter met with the prime minister in multiple safe apartments in Tel Aviv during the months following the October 7 massacre. In those meetings, Winter allegedly discussed his plan to take control of Gaza.

A source close to Netanyahu suggested that Winter poses the greatest threat in the upcoming election. A further attack from Netanyahu's camp on Winter is anticipated. This development comes amid criticism of Winter after he declined to secure a reserved spot on the Likud list. Party officials fear that Winter could siphon votes from Likud and other parties aligned within the same political sphere.