Winter vows to block haredi draft ultimatum to Netanyahu, says People of Israel will stay in race

People's Party head Ofer Winter has vowed to remain in the running for the 26th Knesset election on October 27, after reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionist Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich are trying to pressure the small party out of the race.

Despite acknowledging that People of Israel lacked the resources available to its rivals, Winter said the party remained committed to uniting Israelis and changing the country's political direction.

"We are not giving up. We will be a big surprise," he wrote, urging candidates not to surrender or become discouraged.

Winter also described the election campaign as preparation for the political struggle that would follow the vote.

"After Netanyahu and Smotrich went to try to convince rabbis to come out against the People of Israel Party and me, the morning newspaper headlines reveal that the haredi MKs are issuing an ultimatum over a 'draft law' that preserves the status quo," Winter said.

He declared that People of Israel would oppose any such arrangement.

"I am declaring here clearly and unequivocally that Amcha Israel will not allow this to happen, because it is committed to those who serve, to our soldiers, before the haredi political establishment," he said.

Likud supporters oppose Netanyahu, Smotrich’s methods of pushing Winter out

Criticism of Netanyahu and Smotrich’s methods - including meeting with Rabbi Eli Sadan, head of the Bnei David institutions and pre-military academy in Eli, where Winter studied in his youth,  emerged in an internal WhatsApp group of Likud activists and volunteers obtained by Walla, where participants warned that the campaign against Winter could ultimately damage the Right's chances of forming a government.

The meeting came as pressure mounted on several smaller right-wing parties, including the Public Haredi Party led by Moti Leifner, Rabbi Bargil's Achi party in Netivot, and the Noam Party led by Avi Maoz.

Despite efforts to consolidate the right-wing vote, messages from the internal Likud WhatsApp group revealed disagreement among activists over the strategy against Winter.

"When will you understand that Winter is the only one blocking an Eisenkot government? If he doesn't cross the threshold, the Right won't have a government for the next four years," one participant wrote.

Another activist argued that the attacks had failed to weaken Winter's electoral prospects.

"We can already say that the attack on him has completely failed," the participant wrote.

"We need a change in strategy, we absolutely must!" another message read.

One activist warned that Winter continued to attract support despite the campaign against him, pointing to recent polling figures.

"Even in Mano's poll, they gained a whole percentage point this week. What are we waiting for??? The prime minister must take control of this - it has gotten out of hand and is seriously hurting us," the activist wrote.

The messages reflect concerns among some Likud activists that continued attacks on Winter could alienate potential right-wing voters rather than persuade them to support larger parties.