Ofer Winter vows to stay in election race despite Netanyahu's calls to withdraw

With just six days remaining until Israel's elections, Amcha Israel chairman Ofer Winter vowed Wednesday to remain in the race despite mounting pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party to withdraw.

Speaking to i24NEWS, Winter expressed confidence that his party would cross the electoral threshold, dismissing polls suggesting otherwise.

"We are running all the way, and we will cross the electoral threshold," Winter declared. "I am very confident because we have our own data, not polls or surveys. We have more than 180,000 people who will support us all the way, despite the aggressive campaigns and various forms of pressure directed against us. We entered politics to bring about change, and we are determined to succeed."

Addressing Netanyahu's campaign to persuade him to withdraw, Winter said he had been surprised by the prime minister's approach.

"I did not expect this campaign, and I don't understand it," he said.

Winter also took aim at Netanyahu's handling of aid deliveries to Gaza, accusing the prime minister of reversing his positions under pressure.

"I don't give in to pressure. I don't say trucks won't enter Gaza and then allow them in after pressure is applied. When I say something, I mean it," he said, adding that Netanyahu "understands he will have a difficult time with me on this issue."

Winter acknowledged that his party may have acted prematurely in announcing its intention to recommend Netanyahu as prime minister following the election.

"Perhaps it was a mistake to endorse Netanyahu so early. We didn't want to deal with that issue at this stage," he said.

Nevertheless, Winter insisted that the criticism he received over the endorsement would not change his political allegiance.

"I wasn't intimidated by the criticism. We simply didn't want to address the issue in our announcement," he explained. "I am a man of principle, and I belong to the right. Even when I am attacked, I don't take offense and switch sides. I will remain on the right."

Asked about a meeting Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich held with Rabbi Eli Saban, Winter dismissed suggestions that political pressure could influence his decision.

"That doesn't work on me. I am guided by ideology, a sense of mission and humility," he said.

"We will stay in the race until the end, and we will be the surprise of this election."

Netanyahu responded directly to Winter's remarks in a post on X, urging him to withdraw to avoid splitting the right-wing vote.

"Ofer Winter, you are not crossing the electoral threshold in any poll," Netanyahu wrote. "You promised to act responsibly and withdraw from the race if you endangered the right-wing bloc."

"Withdraw now so we can save the right and prevent a dangerous left-wing government led by Eizenkot, Yair Golan, Liberman and Bennett," the prime minister added.