"Winter ignores": Zlitcha's circle dismisses rumors of merger talks

Against the backdrop of a wave of rumors about possible mergers in the small parties bloc, the circle of the Economic Party chairman, Prof. Yaron Zlitcha, is launching a sharp attack today (Sunday) against the heads of other parties, clarifying that as of now, no real political contacts are taking place between the sides.

In a conversation with "Today", the Economic Party rejects reports of negotiations. "Anyone who has a day and a half of experience in politics knows what real contacts for a merger look like," say those in Zlitcha's circle. "Such contacts take an hour and a half at most: you meet with the teams, close a 'zipper' (technical list), general lines for a joint campaign, and resource allocation - and you set off. But this has not happened with any of the players on the field. Anyone who says they are in negotiations with us because of a polite WhatsApp correspondence or a cup of coffee is doing so only to exploit the media statement and create for themselves an 'imaginary value' ahead of negotiations with other parties."

In the Economic Party, they are confident in their political power and claim that the small parties will struggle to survive without them: "The new parties cannot afford to give up the only locomotive that can get them into the Knesset. We have huge digital assets and a mechanism built over five years. Every politician understands this."

If so, why are the mergers not happening? In Zlitcha's circle, they claim that the reason is not a lack of personal chemistry or ideological gaps, but the direct involvement of capital-government figures. "Whoever talks about ideological differences is pulling the wool over the public's eyes. It's not that they don't want to - they can't," they accuse. "A gun was placed on the table for each of them, and they were explicitly told: 'Zlitcha is out of the question! And if you don't pass the electoral threshold, we will take care of you with a glamorous job the day after.'"

In the Economic Party, they add that "Zlitcha, who was the Accountant General and fought the most corrupt, from Olmert to Hirchson, knows the connection between capital and government better than any other person in the country, and you cannot tell him fairy tales. This is the reason why all the small parties are 'shackled' by the capital-government that funds them."

In Zlitcha's circle, they also direct specific criticism toward the chairman of the New Right party, Major General (res.) Ofer Winter, whose name has been mentioned more than once as a candidate for a technical merger. It turns out that behind the scenes, there is a complete disconnect: "In the last month, Yaron called Winter more than once, sent messages, and sent messengers. As of this moment, Winter has not even found it necessary to answer Yaron."

Despite the harsh words, in Zlitcha's circle, they conclude and clarify that they are not facing ego struggles: "There is no stone that Yaron Zlitcha has not turned and no phone he has not picked up in an attempt to promote mergers. We are not offended, because the mission to save the people of Israel from the cost of living and corruption is greater. Those who should be offended by this conduct are the citizens of Israel and the voters."