Ex-IDF General Ultimatum to Netanyahu on Haredi Draft

Reserve Brigadier General Ofer Winter, leader of the new Amcha Israel party, has issued a firm ultimatum to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding coalition formation. Winter declared on Wednesday that his party will not join any future government unless a law mandating military service for all citizens is passed before the coalition is finalized. "We will not join a government that has not previously adopted a law ending draft evasion and requiring everyone to present themselves and contribute," Winter stated at a press conference in Tel Aviv. He emphasized that no societal sector should be exempt from this obligation and that state aid should be contingent on individual contribution.

This announcement comes just days before the deadline for submitting party lists for the upcoming legislative elections on October 27. Winter indicated that Amcha Israel is open to electoral alliances but will only consider partnerships with "new and ethical" individuals. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had previously urged Winter to join a joint list with the Religious Zionism and Zehut parties, but no agreement was announced.

Winter reaffirmed his commitment to the right-wing bloc and his intention to recommend Netanyahu for Prime Minister. However, he ruled out joining forces with Naftali Bennett or Avigdor Liberman, citing their past participation in a government supported by the Ra'am party. Amcha Israel aims to unite individuals who have not previously served in the Knesset and bear no responsibility for perceived failures related to the October 7th massacre.

The party's list includes Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad, former Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, reservists, and relatives of war victims. Haddad, second on the list, highlighted combating crime, particularly within the Arab-Israeli community, and strengthening Arab-Israeli identity in schools as party priorities. He also expressed a desire for Winter to be appointed Defense Minister. Amcha Israel plans to advocate for the reinstatement of the Ministry of Public Diplomacy to bolster Israel's international image and support its military freedom of action.