Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced he’s willing to give Ofer Wintner a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry from his party’s quota in coalition negotiations, along with full authority to establish an administration for voluntary emigration from Gaza and an administration for haredi draft and integration—in exchange for Wintner withdrawing from the race.
The offer includes three components: a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry, establishment of a voluntary emigration administration, and establishment of an administration for haredi draft and integration into the workforce.
In his appeal, Smotrich told Winter: “Ofer, my brother, you are a good man. A values-driven leader, a brave commander with many merits, and you represent an important voice in Israeli public discourse. We all remember the 1992 elections. Good people full of good intentions who split the camp, threw votes in the trash, and brought upon us the cursed Oslo Accords. Thirty years later, we’re still licking the bleeding wounds of that disaster.”
3+“The votes that burn below the electoral threshold will make the difference between victory and defeat in the elections. The national camp cannot afford to repeat past mistakes. We cannot afford to burn a single vote. History will not forgive those who bring about the rise of a left-wing government and national disasters again, just as it did not forgive those who did so in the past.”
Smotrich referenced his earlier partnership offer: “Before the lists closed, I offered you full and genuine partnership, an honorable place on the list, walking together based on shared values. That was the right path then, and it’s the right path today.”
“Now, with the Knesset lists already closed, and with the data clear to all—it’s obvious that your Amcha Israel party won’t pass the electoral threshold. Not even close. Continuing to run means again, exactly like in ’92, throwing tens of thousands of votes in the trash and a national disaster.”
3+“In the vast majority of polls, you don’t pass the threshold. I know you have your own polls where you think you do pass. Bennett also had good polls in the 2019 elections, and it wasn’t enough for him. Tehiya also passed in polls on the eve of the ’92 elections, and it collapsed at the ballot box. There’s no chance in the world.”
“I know how important continued right-wing rule is to your voters. I know how important it is to the good people walking with you, and I know that deep down you also know this is the most important thing right now.”
Smotrich continued: “Ofer, I’m not expecting you to withdraw from public activity and go home. The people of Israel need you in centers of action and influence, and I know how much action and mission burn within you. I’m offering you now genuine partnership that will give you a real platform to contribute within the political system as you want for the coming years. I’m offering you to lead and implement in the state’s leadership the values in whose name you seek the public’s trust and which we share wholeheartedly.”
“I will give up a ministerial position from my party for you if you withdraw and don’t endanger the right.”
3+Smotrich laid out his proposal: “This is my offer to you Ofer, and I really urge you to accept it: I will place at your disposal the political power that Religious Zionism will have after the elections and will demand for you as part of coalition negotiations, at the expense of the positions and authorities that will come to us according to the formula that will be determined, the ministerial position in the Defense Ministry, with full responsibility and authority over two top national areas at the heart of Amcha Israel’s platform: the emigration field and the field of haredi draft and integration into society.”
“The mission of voluntary emigration from Gaza is without doubt the most central and important mission to decide the campaign and complete the victory we’re all working to achieve. Under your authority in the Defense Ministry, an emigration administration will be established with full statutory powers, a significant budget, and staff positions, which will coordinate the national effort of all bodies—the Foreign Ministry, Mossad, Shin Bet, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, the Ministry of Strategic Affairs and the IDF.”
“In addition, under your authority in the Defense Ministry, an administration will be established that will be responsible for haredi draft and their integration into society. You will be given the authorities and resources to manage and adapt the required military framework for the haredi public, build pre-military frameworks—including preparatory programs, hesder yeshivas, and institutions in border and frontier areas, and establish a mechanism for guidance and placement for graduates who so desire integration into Israeli society.”
3+“Just as we did with the Settlement Administration in the Defense Ministry and through it created an unprecedented revolution in Judea and Samaria—so we will place at your disposal professionally and effectively all the tools and authorities to ensure success in the mission.”
Smotrich concluded: “Ofer my brother, you were and remain a fierce warrior for the people of Israel. You didn’t come to politics for a seat, but to strengthen Israel’s security and the values of the national camp. This is now the only way you can bring to fruition your life’s mission—Israel’s security. I’m offering you true partnership. Ofer, together, only together, can we succeed.”
“Ofer, I call on you from here: let’s show national responsibility and prevent the ’92 disaster again. Come lead for real and don’t settle for a protest vote. Let’s bring together, with God’s help, a great victory for the national camp and bring together your capabilities, values, and experience into official government action. Together, only together, we will win.”