Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met on Tuesday with Rabbi Eli Sadan, who mentored People of Israel chairman Ofer Winter, in an attempt to pressure Winter to withdraw from the Knesset race.
In response to the meeting, Winter criticized Netanyahu and Smotrich and made clear that he had no intention of withdrawing.
"Netanyahu, I heard that you and Smotrich are on your way to Rabbi Eli Sadan to put pressure on me to withdraw," he said. "The people of Israel want a different kind of politics. The people of Israel are fed up with the ugly and unethical campaign you have led and the dishonest methods you are using."
Winter to Netanyahu: 'Say what you're good at instead of stepping on others'
"Say what you're good at instead of stepping on others to get ahead,” Winter added.
Winter went on to say his party offers an alternative leadership option for the Right. He described his approach as “leadership that takes responsibility, leadership that knows how to say, 'I failed, I was wrong.’”
He made clear that his party would remain in the race: "We are here only for the people of Israel, and we are going all the way with all our strength."