Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has reportedly been privately urging political allies not to support former Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter within the right-wing bloc, sparking a sharp public response from the retired military officer and denials from both Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu.
According to a report by Yuval Segev on Channel 13 News Sunday evening, Netanyahu has recently made unusually pointed remarks about Winter during private conversations with various individuals who spoke directly with him.
Sources who reportedly heard the comments firsthand—and who are neither members of the prime minister’s staff nor close associates—said Netanyahu expressed strong opposition to Winter becoming part of the right-wing camp.
“Winter is locked in with Lieberman for after the elections,” Netanyahu allegedly said during those conversations. According to the report, he also warned those around him: “We must not look after him within the right-wing bloc.”
The reported remarks are particularly notable because Winter has not formally announced the creation of a political party or declared that he intends to join any existing political framework.
The claims are also surprising because some figures within the opposition have continued to speculate that a political party led by Winter could ultimately benefit Likud by attracting right-wing voters during the election campaign.
Winter, who previously served as military secretary to the defense minister during Netanyahu’s tenure, responded forcefully to the report in a statement that appeared directed at individuals in the prime minister’s orbit.
“I know the prime minister’s environment very well. I served under the prime minister for an entire year in a highly sensitive position, as his right-hand man. Sometimes new people, in order to show they are important, step on someone else. I am sorry about that. There are other ways to earn the prime minister’s trust without lying and smearing people. I refuse to play that game. Enough.”
Likud strongly denied the report, issuing a brief statement that read: “The report is false from beginning to end.”
Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman also rejected the claims, denying that any political arrangement or agreement exists between him and Winter.
