Ofer Winter Unveils Plan for Haredi Draft, Rejects Need for New Law
Ofer Winter, founder of the new "Am Israel" party, has detailed his plan for integrating the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community into the IDF, stating that a new conscription law is unnecessary. Speaking to Channel 12 News, Winter outlined a three-pronged approach involving legislation, the IDF, and the Ministry of Defense.
The legislative component, according to Winter, would link state benefits to military service or national service. Individuals who formalize their status with the state would receive benefits, while those who do not would not. He emphasized that this is not about a "conscription circle" for everyone, but rather a framework for regulating status and entitlements.
Winter criticized the IDF for its past failures in integrating the Haredi population, citing his own experience establishing Haredi companies within the Givati and Paratroopers brigades as proof of concept. He proposed that Haredi yeshivas (religious schools) should formalize their status with the Ministry of Defense, similar to the model used for religious Zionist institutions, to receive state funding. He warned that institutions found to be defrauding the state would not receive budgets.
Beyond the Haredi draft, Winter also addressed the war in Gaza, advocating for a shift from a reconstruction model to an emigration model for the Strip. He suggested Israel should push the Gazan population south, separate them from Hamas, and blockade two-thirds of the territory to leverage the IDF's full strength. He also stressed the importance of military discipline, stating that refusal to obey orders is unacceptable and should be met with disciplinary action followed by an investigation.
Winter reaffirmed his commitment to his political path, asserting that his party is independent and not beholden to any political figure, including Prime Minister Netanyahu. He positioned himself as a right-wing figure seeking a broader government coalition that could move past the current political stalemate.
