Winter Met Netanyahu Privately Despite Pledge to Run Independently, N12 Reports

Ofer Winter rejected an offer to join Likud, then endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister two days after launching his own party. The sequence has drawn attention because Winter had said he would run independently and would not meet sitting politicians.

According to N12, Netanyahu met Winter privately in the prime minister’s office before the People of Israel chairman established the party. The prime minister reportedly offered Winter a reserved place on the Likud list for the upcoming election, along with additional reserved positions elsewhere on the slate. Winter rejected the offer.

His later endorsement of Netanyahu nevertheless prompted questions about whether he might eventually support another government. Winter also faced pressure from Netanyahu associates and Yair Netanyahu to clarify comments that they said could lead him to recommend Avigdor Lieberman for prime minister. Winter responded: “We do not work for any person, only for the people of Israel. We will not dance to anyone’s tune.”

Party negotiations are intensifying before the September 8 and September 9 deadlines for submitting final lists. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Zehut chairman Moshe Feiglin are reportedly in advanced merger talks, with Feiglin expected to receive the second position and additional places on the list. Current polls suggest Smotrich’s party risks failing to cross the electoral threshold on its own, while a merger could help it pass.

N12 also reported talks involving Gilad Erdan, Benny Gantz and Chili Tropper, who are currently outside the threshold. Separately, a recount at polling stations in Be’er Ya’akov changed Likud primary placements, putting Eti Atiya 25th and moving Minister Gila Gamliel to 35th. Gamliel said she had appealed to the court.

“

We do not work for any person, only for the people of Israel. We will not dance to anyone’s tune.