Am Israel Party Chairman Winter Responds to Netanyahu's Remarks
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Am Israel Party Chairman Ofer Winter criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for focusing on political attacks instead of security issues. Winter's response came after reports of Netanyahu's remarks at a Likud meeting. Winter unveiled his party's "Servicemembers Plan," which proposes doubling combat soldier pay and creating new service tracks, including limiting yeshiva exemptions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Am Israel Party Chairman Ofer Winter criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's focus on political attacks.
- Winter urged Netanyahu to prioritize security issues like reducing Gaza aid and illegal weapons.
- The Am Israel Party unveiled a "Servicemembers Plan" to prioritize soldiers and reservists.
- The plan proposes doubling combat soldier pay and creating new service tracks.
- It suggests limiting yeshiva student exemptions to 25% of the Haredi conscription cohort.
Am Israel Party Chairman, retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, responded to remarks made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which were revealed by C14. Netanyahu reportedly stated during a Likud faction meeting that Winter and his party should continue to be attacked, alongside efforts to win back right-wing voters.
In a video response, Winter addressed Netanyahu, saying, "Prime Minister, it seems you are mistaken again." He urged the government to focus on security and civilian issues instead of his party. Winter specifically called for attention to reducing the amount of "protection money" trucks entering Gaza, curbing illegal weapons, and increasing IDF enlistment.
Winter linked his remarks to his party's newly unveiled "Servicemembers Plan." This plan aims to prioritize soldiers and reservists, proposing a new service model based on the principle of "give and you shall receive, do not give and you shall not receive." The plan includes significantly raising the salaries of regular soldiers and doubling the pay for combat soldiers near the end of their service.
Furthermore, the Am Israel Party's proposal outlines three legal service tracks for all conscription-age citizens: IDF service, national-civilian service, or a recognized and supervised religious framework. The plan suggests limiting the number of yeshiva students recognized as Torah scholars to 25% of the Haredi conscription cohort, based on security needs. It also calls for establishing dedicated IDF service frameworks, strengthening Defense Ministry oversight of religious institutions, and enacting legislation before the next government is sworn in, with semi-annual oversight reports to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
