Right-wing activists protest Ofer Winter’s independent Knesset run with wreath outside his home
Activists accused Amcha Yisrael chairman Ofer Winter of weakening the right-wing bloc, while Winter defended his decision to run separately and back Benjamin Netanyahu.
On Monday, right-wing activists paid tribute to Ofer Winter, chairman of the People of Israel Party, by placing a floral wreath on the entrance to his home in Mitzpe Netofa. The wreath bore the inscription "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Gali Baharav-Miara," seemingly suggesting that Winter's independent Knesset run could weaken the right-wing coalition.
This protest came after weeks of urging Winter to join an existing right-wing party rather than run independently. Despite the pressure, Winter went ahead and submitted the People of Israel's Knesset list, signaling his intention to contest the elections under the party he founded.
The People of Israel Party responded to the wreath, stating: "Friends, you have the wrong address. A flower wreath should be sent to those who, for four years, did not send a dismissal letter to the attorney general and instead chose to surrender to her. Those who, for four years, failed to remove Gali Baharav-Miara from her position can keep dealing with gimmicks and flowers while we make changes. What was will not continue."
Religious Zionist Party Chairman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also took aim at Winter on Monday. He remarked that only Gali Baharav-Miara and Yitzhak Amit, along with their left-leaning colleagues, could benefit from Winter's decision to run independently. Smotrich further stated that Winter's firm refusal to unite with the national camp is disappointing and casts a shadow over his promise to recommend Netanyahu for prime minister and to align with the national camp.
Despite the controversy, Winter has reaffirmed his position within the right-wing bloc. At the end of August, he declared his intent to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister. Winter emphasized that the People of Israel Party remains part of the right-wing camp, with Netanyahu as its leader and the party prepared to recommend him exclusively.
However, Winter also set conditions for joining a future government led by Netanyahu. He noted that his party would not support a coalition that fails to pass a conscription law before assuming office. Furthermore, while Winter's party is not ruling out political alliances, it would only consider them with new partners.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
