Ofer Winter Responds to Critic, Accuses Him of Selling Illusions

Ofer Winter, head of the 'Amcha Yisrael' party, has sharply responded to criticism from Shaul Meredor, a member of the 'Yashar' party. Meredor, speaking on the 'HaKol Politiki' podcast, accused Winter of "selling illusions to the public" regarding the enlistment of Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) into the IDF. Meredor stated that while Winter claims to support Haredi enlistment, he also says he would sit in a coalition with Haredi parties that oppose it.

Meredor further criticized both Winter and Bezalel Smotrich, saying they "represent positions that greatly harm the Israeli interest" and do not tell the public the truth. He contrasted Smotrich, who at least states his intentions, with Winter, whom he accused of ignoring the consequences of his actions.

The 'Amcha Yisrael' party retorted by criticizing Meredor's own political choices, pointing to his participation in a government with Mansour Abbas and signing a surplus agreement with Yair Golan. They argued that any vote for Meredor or Benny Gantz (implied by 'Eizenkot') is a vote for Golan and a government with Abbas, which they claim would not defeat Hamas.

In a direct jab, 'Amcha Yisrael' stated Meredor "chose to move from the stands at Teddy Stadium to the ultras of Bnei Sakhnin," a colloquial way of saying he switched allegiances. They concluded by asserting that Winter, during his military service, did more to integrate Haredim into the IDF than Gantz did as minister and chief of staff, and that this will continue with a new law on the status of servicemen.