Smotrich presses Ofer Winter to drop Knesset run in exchange for Defense Ministry appointment

OCTOBER 21, 2026 17:04Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich offered People of Israel party leader Ofer Winter a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry in exchange for withdrawing from the October 27 election, less than a week before Israelis head to the polls.Smotrich, who leads the far-right Religious Zionist Party that is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu's outgoing coalition, also stated that he would offer Winter the "full authority to establish a voluntary emigration directorate for Gaza."The finance minister additionally stated that he would offer Ofer a directorate for haredi (ultra-Orthodox) enlistment and integration into the workforce.Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls for People of Israel's Ofer Winter to drop out of race, unite Right in return for ministerial post, October 21, 2026. (Credit: Religious Zionist Party)Ofer's People of Israel party has endorsed Netanyahu as prime minister. His party has recently been polling below or just above the required electoral threshold. This is a developing story.Follow us on Google