Party Leader Winter Claims National Disgrace Over Unformed Gaza War Inquiry Commission
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" party, is facing pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw from elections due to low poll numbers. Winter criticized the lack of an inquiry commission into the October 7th events, calling it a "national disgrace" and suggesting both Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot should be investigated. He also outlined his vision for reforming Israel's security doctrine and advocated for swift military resolutions. Winter rejected potential coalitions with ultra-Orthodox parties and criticized Yoaz Hendel's stance on ultra-Orthodox conscription.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ofer Winter called the failure to form a Gaza war inquiry commission a "national disgrace" and called for Netanyahu and Eisenkot to be investigated.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly pressuring Ofer Winter to withdraw from elections due to his party's low polling numbers.
- Winter aims to reform Israel's security doctrine, advocating for swift military resolutions and prioritizing Israeli citizens over enemy civilians.
- Winter criticized the lack of an inquiry commission into the October 7th events, blaming both the coalition and opposition.
- Winter rejected the possibility of forming a coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties and criticized Yoaz Hendel's stance on their conscription.
Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" party, is facing escalating pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw from the upcoming elections, reportedly due to his party's low polling numbers. Winter stated at a "HaDor Kovea" conference that the war prompted him and his wife to agree to his political entry, but he did not anticipate such an aggressive reception, feeling that established interests are attacking his party for challenging existing monopolies. He highlighted that his party, composed mostly of combat soldiers, aims to bring new influences and challenge the status quo, even including figures like Yosef Haddad, who he suggested could be an Arab member of the party.
Winter addressed Netanyahu's recent video calling him "Bibi 2" and accusing him of intending to align with the left. Winter countered by referencing his military service, where he faced opposition for his beliefs, including his stance that Israeli citizens should be prioritized over enemy civilians, citing the case of fallen soldier Hadar Goldin. He declared his primary goal is to reform Israel's security doctrine, arguing that the enemy's greatest weapon is hope and that current policies, like discussing the "day after" in Gaza, inadvertently aid Hamas.
He advocated for a swift military resolution, emphasizing that the IDF is not built for prolonged conflicts and reservists need to return home. Winter also criticized the lack of an inquiry commission into the October 7th events, calling it a "national disgrace" and blaming both the coalition and opposition for its absence, stating that figures like Gadi Eisenkot and Prime Minister Netanyahu should also be investigated. Winter rejected the idea of forming a coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties, stating they would not be the "61st vote," and criticized Yoaz Hendel for only now advocating for the conscription of the ultra-Orthodox after serving in a previous government.
Responding to a question about apologizing if his party doesn't pass the electoral threshold, Winter stated that if the Israeli people choose not to elect them, it is their decision, urging voters to choose existing parties if they wish to preserve the current situation.
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