Breaking

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the home of Rabbi Eli Sadan, a spiritual mentor to Ofer Winter, in an apparent attempt to pressure the Otzma Yehudit leader to withdraw from the Knesset race over concerns his party may not pass the electoral threshold.

Winter responded sharply to the meeting, stating: ‘The people of Israel are sick of the ugly and unethical campaign you have led, and the dishonest ways you are using.’ He declared his party is ‘going all the way’ and will not be pressured into withdrawal.

The incident reflects internal tensions within Netanyahu’s coalition government and uncertainty surrounding the electoral viability of smaller right-wing parties ahead of elections. Winter’s Otzma Yehudit party has been struggling in recent polls to cross the 3.25 percent threshold needed for Knesset representation.

Both Ynet and Walla reported on the meeting and Winter’s response, with sources agreeing on the core details of the confrontation and Winter’s defiant statement.

Sources: Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Times of Israel, Ynet