Likud Divided Over Strategy Toward Ofer Winter Ahead of Elections
A sharp internal debate has emerged within the "Likud" party over its strategy toward Ofer Winter, as some officials argue his independent campaign could ultimately strengthen Benjamin Netanyahu by undermining Gadi Eisenkot and mobilizing the right-wing base.
A fierce debate has erupted within the ruling "Likud" party regarding its electoral strategy toward retired Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, whose independent party "Am Yisrael" is polling ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections. While top officials continue to launch direct attacks, warning that Winter risks wasting crucial right-wing votes if he fails to clear the electoral threshold, a growing faction within the party is advocating for a strategic pivot.
The Debate Over Ofer Winter's Candidacy
The offensive against Winter was prominently displayed when Kneset Speaker Amir Ohana warned in a radio interview that Winter poses a greater threat to the right-wing bloc than the left, drawing parallels to the costly split of 1992. Ohana publicly urged Winter to withdraw from the race if he truly supports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remaining in power, arguing that splitting the right-wing base could jeopardize the entire coalition.
Conversely, a number of senior "Likud" insiders argue that the ongoing campaign to crush Winter is counterproductive. These officials suggest that Winter acts as an asset by undermining opposition figures, particularly Gadi Eisenkot of the "Yashar!" party. According to this line of thought, Winter's critiques carry distinct credibility among right-wing voters skeptical of Eisenkot, potentially drawing disillusioned voters back into the broader right-wing camp who might otherwise stay home or vote elsewhere.
"The Likud is wrong about Winter. Winter is an asset," a senior party source noted, emphasizing that voters who lose confidence in Eisenkot's ability to lead will ultimately default to supporting Netanyahu rather than wasting their ballots.
Targeting the "Despite Everything, Bibi" Electorate
Beyond the tactical calculations surrounding Winter, "Likud" leadership is increasingly focused on a critical internal challenge: voter turnout. Party strategists observe that while opposition motivation remains exceptionally high, the core challenge for "Likud" lies not in convincing voters to switch sides, but in mobilizing its own base.
Party insiders point to a key demographic they describe as "Despite Everything, Bibi" voters—citizens experiencing political fatigue, policy disappointments, or internal friction, but who ideologically belong to the right. The central battleground for the upcoming elections, according to senior strategists, will be motivating these reluctant supporters to actually cast their ballots on election day.
To counter apathy, "Likud" is heavily leaning on grassroots mobilization, internal party institutional rivalries to energize local branches, and direct media appeals by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu designed to rally the conservative base and ensure high voter turnout across both the periphery and urban centers.
