Winter’s rabbi backs People of Israel despite Netanyahu's pressure to withdraw from election

Rabbi Eli Sadan, the spiritual guide of the People of Israel party, has voiced optimism on Sunday that their leader Ofer Winter would secure enough votes to enter the Knesset, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed for a withdrawal from the election. This optimism came despite Netanyahu's recent attempts to influence Sadan to pressure Winter into stepping down from the race.

Netanyahu has also urged voters to refrain from supporting smaller right-wing parties, including the People of Israel party, as they approach the electoral threshold.

Sadan expressed his desire for Winter's success in crossing the threshold, stating that only a successful entry would guarantee a full right-wing government under Netanyahu. "I wish Ofer Winter success in passing the electoral threshold," Sadan remarked. "I believe that only if Ofer Winter passes the electoral threshold will Bibi have a full right-wing government. That is what I hope will happen."

Winter has firmly stated his determination not to withdraw from the election. Last week, Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who heads the far-right Religious Zionist Party (RZP), met with Sadan in an effort to persuade Winter to withdraw. During the meeting, it was reported that they emphasized their doubts about Winter's party failing to cross the electoral threshold, which could result in the loss of Knesset seats for the right-wing coalition.

Despite these pressures, Winter's chairman has consistently maintained that he has no intention of dropping out.

Sadan also commented on Sunday that he believed Netanyahu to be an "excellent prime minister" who had "done many good things for the people of Israel over the years" and expressed a desire for Netanyahu to continue serving in the role. However, Sadan denied claims that he had advised people not to vote for Winter due to his party's projected inability to cross the electoral threshold, stating, "I think that is incorrect. I certainly did not say that."

The People of Israel party has backed Netanyahu for the position of prime minister. Currently, the party's polling results place them just above or below the necessary electoral threshold. Winter's People of Israel party has also endorsed Netanyahu's candidacy. Recent polls have shown the party slightly above or just below the required electoral threshold.

Netanyahu last week urged Winter to withdraw from the race to "save the Right," asserting that doing so would prevent a "dangerous left-wing government" led by the opposition, which seeks to replace him. He has warned that a fragmented right-wing vote could lead to his camp's defeat in the election.

On Wednesday, Smotrich offered Winter a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry in exchange for his decision to withdraw from the elections. The role would have been allocated to the RZP as part of potential coalition negotiations. However, Winter rejected this offer, emphasizing his commitment to running in the election. The People of Israel party aims to unite individuals with no prior Knesset experience and those not involved in the political or security mishaps following the October 7 Hamas-led massacre.