Dozens of Religious Zionist rabbanim issued an urgent appeal Monday to Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, chairman of the Amcha Yisrael party, calling on him to join forces with other right-wing parties ahead of this week’s deadline for submitting Knesset slates.
Among the signatories are Rabbi Eitan Eisman, Rabbi David Chai HaKohen, Rabbi Elyakim Levanon and Rabbi Shabtai Sabato.
“This week it will be determined whether the right will enter the upcoming elections with united forces or, chalilah, divided,” the rabbanim wrote, urging Winter to “take responsibility” and continue Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich’s efforts to unite the right-wing camp.
The rabbanim stressed that the stakes are too high to risk losing right-wing votes. “Unity is always good, certainly when great dangers facing Klal Yisrael are on the other side,” they wrote, adding that “risks must not be taken when it concerns Klal Yisrael.”
The appeal comes amid ongoing efforts by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to bring the various right-wing parties together. Smotrich has personally appealed to Winter, praising his record and contribution to Israel while urging him not to risk running separately.
Winter, however, has faced pressure from multiple directions as his newly formed Amcha Yisrael party battles to cross the electoral threshold. He declared last week that his party would not join a government unless legislation is passed requiring greater Chareidi participation in military service.
The political pressure is intensifying with just two days remaining before the deadline for parties to submit their final Knesset slates.
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
