A sharp confrontation erupted between Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich and Amcha Yisrael chairman Ofer Winter after Winter submitted his party’s Knesset slate and decided to run independently.
With the submission of the slate to Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg, the possibility of Amcha Yisrael merging with another party was closed.
Smotrich, who in recent days had called on Winter to join forces with him to prevent votes in the right-wing bloc from being wasted, sharply criticized the decision. “We regret Ofer Winter’s decision to run independently and gamble with the future of right-wing rule and the State of Israel," he said.
He argued that Winter’s decision could ultimately benefit the bloc’s opponents. “The only ones who stand to gain from Winter’s refusal to unite the national camp are Gali Baharav-Miara, Yitzhak Amit and their friends on the left."
He added, “Winter’s stubborn refusal of every proposal for unity in the national camp is very disappointing and casts a heavy shadow over his judgment and the credibility of his promise to recommend Netanyahu for prime minister and to go only with the national camp."
Smotrich concluded his response by saying, “A true right-winger does not take risks this time."
Winter fired back, saying that the public is seeking a change in the bloc’s leadership. “The people of Israel are asking to refresh the ranks. We appreciate what you have done, and we will not descend into fearmongering."
Winter also criticized the existing leadership and called for the inclusion of new figures. “You, too, need to recognize and acknowledge that the public is asking for new people - people who were not part of the events that led us to October 7."
He added that what is needed are people “who will be able to bring about a decisive victory in Gaza, integrate the Haredim into the IDF and address the many challenges that were not dealt with during the previous term. The time has come to bring a new spirit into the right-wing camp and the Knesset."
The public confrontation comes after days of pressure on Winter to agree to a political alliance. Religious Zionism claimed that Smotrich had even delayed decisions regarding reserved spots on his slate in order to keep positions open for a possible merger with Amcha Yisrael.
According to Religious Zionism, Smotrich had considered several potential candidates in recent weeks to strengthen the slate but refrained from making a decision because of his desire to advance a merger with Winter. After it became clear to the party that Winter intended to run independently, Religious Zionism announced that Smotrich would resume considering candidates for the positions reserved for the party chairman.
Pressure on Winter did not come only from the political establishment. A group of rabbis and yeshiva heads from the Religious Zionist community issued a public appeal urging him to join the unity effort, writing: “This week it will be decided whether the right will enter the upcoming elections with united forces or, God forbid, divided."
The rabbis appealed directly to Winter and called on him to “take responsibility and act promptly" to bring about unity in the right-wing camp.
“Unity is always good, and certainly when great dangers to the Jewish people as a whole lie on the other side," they added.
They concluded with an appeal: “Ofer, between a certainty and a possibility, certainty is preferable. We must not take risks when the fate of the Jewish people as a whole is at stake."