Ofer Winter Sets Condition for Netanyahu Government Entry

Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, leader of the 'Amcha Yisrael' party, declared on Wednesday that his party will only join a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu if a law mandating universal conscription and contribution is passed before the government is sworn in. "We will not enter a government that does not pass a law before its establishment that ends draft evasion and requires everyone to enlist and contribute. If this does not happen, we will not be in the government. Period," Winter stated.

Winter described his party as a "clean, new, honest, fighting team" aiming to serve all Israeli citizens, rejecting any sectoral identity. He alleged that various elements are attempting to dismantle his party through misinformation and fear tactics, asserting that these efforts will fail. He also pledged to work towards the integration of the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) public into the IDF, stating that those who have failed to do so thus far will not succeed in the future.

Furthermore, Winter criticized the failure to establish a widely trusted investigative committee and the lack of a clear decision in Gaza over the past three years. He reiterated his party's right-wing alignment and intention to recommend Netanyahu for prime minister, ruling out alliances with Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett. Winter apologized to supporters disappointed by his endorsement of Netanyahu, emphasizing the party serves the people, not individuals.

The core of his condition is a service law requiring all draft-eligible youth to enlist, asserting that "no sector is above the law." He detailed that those who serve will be rewarded, with greater benefits for those who contribute more, prioritizing combat soldiers and reservists. Winter vowed that the service law would pass before the government's swearing-in, rejecting any delays or coalition agreements that postpone it.

Addressing potential divisions within his party, particularly regarding Netanyahu's reported offer of a ministerial position to Yosef Haddad, Winter insisted his party would not be fractured and was not seeking jobs for its members. He urged young people seeking a party to vote for to join 'Amcha Yisrael' ahead of the October 27 elections, stating that while open to alliances, they would only be with "new and clean people" untainted by the events of October 7 and committed to changing the political discourse.