People of Israel candidate quits Ofer Winter's party amid mounting pressure from right-wing rivals

Davidi Ben Zion, a candidate on Ofer Winter's People of Israel party list, announced his withdrawal from the race on Tuesday, two weeks before the elections, following an intensive campaign urging him to step aside over concerns that the party could endanger the right-wing bloc's electoral prospects.

The campaign against Ben Zion had called on him to withdraw, arguing that the party's participation in the elections posed a risk to the right-wing bloc.

In his resignation statement, Ben Zion wrote: "A month and a half ago, I joined People of Israel out of a sense of mission and humility. Ofer Winter is a true right-winger, a fighter and a commander who has dedicated his life to Israel's security and does not apologize for what he believes in."

"I believe in him and in his path, and I thank him for his trust and for the journey we have shared. A mission is measured in moments when you have to choose between what is good for you and what is right. Two weeks before the elections, based on the emerging picture, it appears that the risk of failing to cross the electoral threshold is high, and I am not prepared to let the votes of people who believed in this path go to waste," he added.

Ben Zion concluded his statement by referring to his military service following the October 7 attacks.

"On October 7, I rushed with my battalion to Kfar Aza because I will always be there for my brothers. Since then, I have served hundreds of days in the reserves, and that is where I learned that the mission comes before everything else. I believe in this path, and out of a sense of responsibility, I have decided to withdraw from the list. With God's help, I will continue to serve the residents of Samaria, the State of Israel and the people of Israel, as always, on every front."

In a message sent to members of People of Israel immediately after his withdrawal, Ben Zion wrote: "Friends, I love you. My family and my wife come before everything else. Every single one of you is dear to me, and may you continue to succeed, God willing."

People of Israel chairman Ofer Winter responded to the announcement on Tuesday evening during a campaign event in Eilat, sharply criticizing the campaign against members of his party.

"This evening, Davidi Ben Zion, one of the candidates on my list, asked me to withdraw. I tell you: Jerusalem was destroyed because of baseless hatred. The inconceivable campaign, which descended to personal attacks against people in our party by various elements on the right, is a disgraceful, low campaign. Truly low," Winter said.

"They hung signs near the children's transportation, yesterday near their homes. I mean, what did Dudi do? What did Dudi Ben Zion do? What did Lali Deri, a bereaved mother, do? Just withdraw, withdraw. For what? What did they do? They wanted to join a new, clean party, something that has not existed in Israeli politics. To lead a genuine, clean path, and they went after them with everything they had, relentlessly, without limits," he added.

He went on to condemn those responsible for the campaign, accusing them of putting candidates and their families under relentless pressure.

"Now I say to those who did this: They should be ashamed of themselves. Instead of being good, they trample others. Tell us what you are good at. And I say one more thing: I understand Davidi. I understand that he could not withstand the pressure, that his wife could not withstand it, with all the signs they hung near their home and the number of times they threatened him and told him, withdraw, withdraw. By the way, it is not as though we accidentally went with Mansour Abbas. It is simply because we decided to lead a new path. That is the story. So I say that whoever did this should be ashamed. This is not the way of the right. This is not how people should behave," Winter pointed out.

"I tell you, we came to lead a new, clean path, with people of integrity. It is time to put an end to this petty, disgraceful politics. I say this to you from the bottom of my heart. And to all those who are worried, I say: We are strong. We will go all the way now. We do not surrender in battle. Sometimes there are casualties. There is nothing to be done. I have experienced such things several times in my public life, as a fighter and as a commander who has led enough soldiers. There are casualties. We will win and bring a different message to the people of Israel."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Ben Zion's decision and called on other candidates on Winter's list to withdraw as well.

"I commend Davidi Ben Zion for his important decision to withdraw from Winter's party after realizing that Winter's candidacy endangers the right-wing bloc and will lead to the establishment of a left-wing government of Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Liberman, Bennett and the Arab parties. I call on the other members of the list to act similarly to ensure a victory for the right," Netanyahu said.

Religious Zionist Party chairman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also issued a statement praising Ben Zion's decision.

"I would like to congratulate my friend, Maj. (res.) Davidi Ben Zion, on a courageous and difficult step of national responsibility. Over the past three years, Davidi has demonstrated military courage, reporting again and again for reserve duty as a fighter and commander on every front. This is a direct continuation of many years of public service in education, settlement, and social affairs. This evening, Davidi is demonstrating civilian courage, taking responsibility and acting to save the State of Israel from the loss of power by the national camp and the rise of the left because of votes being wasted below the electoral threshold," Smotrich wrote.

He also called on Winter and the remaining candidates to follow Ben Zion's example, warning of what he described as the consequences of a left-wing government coming to power.

"With his courageous step, Davidi is acting to save the State of Israel from the clear and immediate danger of the establishment of a Palestinian state, a devastating blow to the Jewish identity of the state and damage to democracy. I call on Ofer Winter, who demonstrated military courage for many years, to demonstrate civilian courage as well, to take the right and necessary step in light of a series of polls showing that he is not crossing the electoral threshold, and to announce his withdrawal. I call on attorney Eran Ben Ari and Lali Deri: You are people of the national camp. Take responsibility and follow Davidi's example. Do not take upon yourselves responsibility for a left-wing government that will cause enormous damage to the State of Israel. We do not gamble with Israel's security!" Smotrich added.

Just a week earlier, during a preelection gathering at a private home, People of Israel candidates attorney Eran Ben Ari and Davidi Ben Zion said they were entirely open to joining a broad unity government that would also include Gadi Eisenkot.

When asked whether they would sit with Eisenkot or bring him into the coalition, Ben Zion replied: "Why shouldn't Eisenkot join? I wish he would. On the contrary, let there be a broad government here. Excellent."

Ben Ari reinforced those remarks, explaining that a strong showing for their party would force political figures in the center-left to compromise and join a Netanyahu-led coalition.

"Our strength, when it becomes significant, will mean that Liberman will have to decide whether he is joining the government ... that Eisenkot will have to decide whether he wants to join the government," he said.

Yoseph Haddad addressed party members following Ben Zion's withdrawal, accusing political rivals on the right of financing an aggressive campaign intended to destroy People of Israel.

"We are facing an ugly campaign funded by enormous budgets, whose sole purpose is to crush us as though we are the enemy. And this is coming from the right, from within our own home, so to speak. And yes, the political pressure is heavy. They are using disgusting methods, and not everyone is capable of withstanding them, especially when it reaches their families. Our foundations are stronger than any pressure. We are moving forward with full force," Haddad said.