Ofer Winter's 'Am Israel' Party Adds Four New Knesset Candidates

The "Am Israel" party, led by retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, announced on Sunday the addition of four new candidates to its Knesset slate. Winter stated that these candidates represent the party's spirit, embodying individuals who have fought for Israel both domestically and internationally, particularly since the October 7th attacks.

The party aims to bring a "new spirit" to Israeli politics, representing the full spectrum of the population with a policy of "true right-wing and military decision-making on all fronts." It also advocates for the integration of the ultra-Orthodox community into the IDF and full support for soldiers, rejecting any notion of being a political shield for ultra-Orthodox politicians at the expense of conscripts. Winter expressed confidence that the party would be the "surprise of the elections."

The new candidates include Alam Ibrahim, a former combat soldier and commander in the Givati and Golani brigades who also served in a special police unit and participated in major conflicts. He is also a social activist involved in community programs for Arab and Druze youth and a participant in the Abraham Project, which builds bridges between communities. He currently leads a regional sports center in Sajur.

Raz Malka, a right-wing activist and social advocate from Kiryat Shmona, lost a cousin in the October 7th Hamas attack. He is a leading figure in the struggle for the security of northern Israel and has organized tours and advocacy missions to the region. Malka was previously the youngest candidate to run for local office in Israel when he ran for the Kiryat Shmona city council in 2018.

Lila Chaim-Idelberg is an attorney, a member of the Nahariya city council, a director at the Community Centers Company, and the chairwoman of the "Eman" branch in Nahariya. She is active in promoting women's leadership and has advocated for the integration of the ultra-Orthodox into the IDF, participating in Knesset committee discussions on the matter.

The final addition is Arik Rubin, an American Jew who previously worked in financial services in the U.S. He immigrated to Israel with his wife six days after October 7th, leaving his career to combat antisemitism and the delegitimization of Israel. In January 2025, the Knesset recognized him as one of the "Voices of Iron" for his defense of Israel during the war. He co-founded Together Vouch For Each Other U.S. with Yosef Haddad to amplify the voices of Israeli Arabs in public diplomacy efforts. Rubin currently heads Project MAX, an organization fighting racism and antisemitism, and brings professional athletes to visit Israel. He also serves as a global ambassador for Maccabi World Union, lecturing worldwide on combating antisemitism through sports.