Ofer Winter Says Likud Offered Him Third Slot and Defense Ministry

In an interview published Saturday night, former IDF brigadier general Ofer Winter said emissaries offered him third place on Likud’s Knesset slate and promised him the defense portfolio. He did not identify the emissaries or specify when the offer was made. Winter said he explained that another right-wing party was needed because voters were leaving Likud and were dissatisfied with the government, and maintained that he was running independently. He also reiterated his ambition to become defense minister; his account of the offer was not independently confirmed in the interview.