Smotrich Offers Ofer Winter Ministerial Post in Defense Ministry to Drop Knesset Bid

The finance minister offered Ofer Winter a ministerial post and a haredi draft directorate if he withdraws from the election.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is pressing Amcha Yisrael chairman Ofer Winter to drop his Knesset election bid in exchange for an appointment in the Defense Ministry, Reshet 13 and The Jerusalem Post reported. According to Reshet 13, Smotrich offered Winter: "If you drop out - you will receive a minister post."

The Jerusalem Post noted that the finance minister also proposed offering Winter a directorate dedicated to haredi enlistment and workforce integration. The proposal follows Winter's accusations earlier this week that Smotrich had exerted heavy pressure to force his withdrawal from the race.

Winter's response to the offer and further details regarding the talks have not yet been released.