Ofer Winter Launches Independent Knesset Bid, Defying Right-Wing Allies

Former general Ofer Winter has officially launched his new party, Amcha Israel, by submitting its list of candidates for the upcoming Knesset elections. The party's director-general, Winter, is at the top of the list, followed by activist Yoseph Haddad and journalist Netali Shem Tov. The list also includes figures from the legal and municipal sectors, such as Eran Ben Ari and Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum.

Launched just two weeks ago, Amcha Israel aims to champion a "true right-wing policy" and achieve "military victory on all fronts," according to Winter. The party also advocates for the integration of the ultra-Orthodox into the Israel Defense Forces and pledges "total support for soldiers," with Winter stating he will not serve as a "political shield" for ultra-Orthodox leaders at the expense of soldiers.

This move effectively ends any possibility of an alliance with Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party. Smotrich had urged Winter to merge their parties to prevent vote dilution within the national camp. Smotrich strongly criticized Winter's decision, accusing him of "playing with the future of the right-wing government and the State of Israel." Several rabbis and yeshiva leaders had also called for a merger.

Winter dismissed these warnings as fear-mongering, asserting that "the people of Israel want new faces." He stated his intention to bring individuals into the Knesset who were not involved in the events leading up to the October 7th attacks. Winter expressed confidence that his party would be "the surprise of the elections."