Am Israel Party Chairman Winter Rules Out Coalition With Bennett, Lieberman, Eisenkot

Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel Party, has publicly stated he will not join a government not led by a right-wing party and specifically ruled out serving under Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, or Gadi Eisenkot. Winter declared, "I will not do a Bennett move. I will not say one thing and do another. I will not sit under Eisenkot, not under Bennett, and not under Lieberman." He dismissed rumors suggesting his potential participation in a government headed by any of these three figures as false, emphasizing that repeating a lie does not make it true.

Winter explained his decision to enter politics stems from a desire to effect change from within the political arena, after previously attempting to influence from within the system. He expressed his ambition to become the Minister of Defense, stating, "I tried to influence within the system, I will act to become Minister of Defense and I will influence from that side as well."

Furthermore, Winter outlined his vision for a shift in security doctrine. He argued for a change in the "distorted perception" that has prevailed for years, suggesting that Israeli soldiers are treated as if they are enemies of the state. He also called for a revision of containment and regulation policies that have been in place. Winter concluded by expressing a desire to see military generals act with greater decisiveness, likening it to the actions during the Six-Day War.