Netanyahu's Plan to Dismantle Ofer Winter's Party Revealed

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly planning to dismantle the newly formed "Am Ech Yisrael" party led by retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, according to reports from "Hamahdura Hamerkazit." The Likud party's strategy involves offering Winter a prominent second position on the joint list of the Smotrich-Feiglin faction, which recently announced its unification. In exchange, two of Winter's associates would be placed on the Likud's Knesset list. The proposal also includes a commitment that Winter's faction would unite as an independent bloc after the elections, fulfilling his initial objective.

Likud views Yosef Haddad, Winter's second-in-command, as a potential candidate for a reserved spot on their list, a position that had been offered to him even before he joined Winter's party. If these overtures fail, Likud plans to campaign on the message that Winter is potentially splitting the right-wing vote and question his loyalty to the bloc. There is an expectation that under pressure from polls, someone within the "Am Ech Yisrael" party might yield, potentially triggering a collapse.

Winter himself has so far firmly rejected these proposals, though he may eventually agree under pressure. He is also reportedly in talks with Yaron Zelekha's Economic Party and new ultra-Orthodox parties. Winter and Haddad are actively trying to deflect pressure for mergers.

In a recent statement, Winter declared that "Am Ech Yisrael" is the only address for those who genuinely want to integrate the ultra-Orthodox into the IDF and support serving soldiers and their families. He explicitly stated that his party would not serve as a shield for MKs like Gafni and Goldknopf at the expense of soldiers.

Winter has set a condition for entering any future government: he demands full authority over issues related to military conscription. He stated, "If the ultra-Orthodox do not agree to this, they are welcome to stay out. If Gafni and Goldknopf have a problem with this, then in my opinion, they shouldn't be in the government." Winter emphasized that his party is not seeking positions but a role in decision-making, aiming for a broad government that requires significant strength. He indicated that if their demands are not met, they will not join.