Ofer Winter Unveils New Candidates, Criticizes Ultra-Orthodox Draft Stance

Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Ech Yisrael" party, announced four new candidates for his Knesset list on Sunday, using the occasion to criticize Yahadut HaTorah chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf regarding the draft of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF. Winter stated that his party would work towards the "integration of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF" and emphasized that support for soldiers would supersede political considerations.

"The 'Am Ech Yisrael' party brings a new spirit representing the entire spectrum of the population and will lead a policy of true right-wing and military decisiveness in all arenas, alongside the integration of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF and providing full backing to soldiers without compromise and without willingness to serve as Goldknopf's political shield at the expense of those serving," Winter declared.

Alongside his attack on Goldknopf, Winter introduced the four new additions to his party: Alam Ibrahim, Raz Malka, Lilach Haim-Idelberg, and Arik Rubin. Winter described them as representing the party's spirit, being individuals who have fought for Israel both domestically and internationally, especially since October 7th. He expressed confidence that the party would be "the surprise of the elections."

Alam Ibrahim is a former combat soldier and commander in the Givati and Golani brigades, who also served in a special police unit and participated in past conflicts. Raz Malka is a right-wing activist from Kiryat Shmona, advocating for the residents of the north, who lost a cousin on October 7th. Lilach Haim-Idelberg is an attorney and city council member who supports women's leadership and has engaged in discussions about integrating the ultra-Orthodox into the IDF. Arik Rubin is an American oleh who moved to Israel after October 7th, focusing on combating antisemitism and the delegitimization of Israel, and was recognized by the Knesset as a "Voice of Iron."