Ofer Winter Submits 18-Member People of Israel Slate, Rules Out Merger

Ofer Winter formally submitted the 18-candidate People of Israel slate for the 26th Knesset, ending prospects of an election alliance with Religious Zionism. Yoseph Haddad holds second place, followed by Netali Shem Tov and attorney Eran Ben-Ari. Winter said the party would promote a firm right-wing security policy, Haredi military integration and support for soldiers. Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich criticized the independent run as a risk to right-wing rule, while People of Israel replied that voters want new leadership and rejected what it called fear-based rhetoric.