Netanyahu Says He Offered Ofer Winter a Likud Place Before Independent Run

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he met Ofer Winter several weeks ago and offered him a place on the Likud slate. Netanyahu said Winter declined and warned that an independent party could waste right-wing votes and endanger the governing bloc. Winter replied that his People of Israel party was not the threat to the right, arguing that the current government's actions were pushing voters away. Netanyahu disclosed the offer during a Sunday evening television interview, and Winter issued his response later that night.