Party Leader Winter Links Draft Law to Coalition Demands, Criticizes Netanyahu and Smotrich

Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel party, announced on Tuesday that his party will only join a broad right-wing government that advances his party's proposed "Servicemembers Law." Winter made these remarks during a public exchange with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, following a meeting Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had with Rabbi Eli Sadan, Winter's mentor.

The meeting with Rabbi Sadan, a co-founder of the Bnei David pre-military academy and Winter's rabbi, was reportedly an effort to persuade Winter to withdraw from the electoral race. Winter accused Netanyahu and Smotrich of attempting to enlist rabbis to campaign against him and his party, asserting his intention to continue his candidacy.

In a video released Tuesday, Winter connected the efforts against his campaign to demands made by Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) representatives regarding the draft law. He criticized their ultimatum for advancing a draft law that "maintains the status quo," making sweeping, unsubstantiated accusations against the Haredi leadership.

Winter stated, "Am Israel will not allow this to happen, because it is committed to the servicemembers, to our fighters, before Haredi politicking. Whoever serves will receive more, and whoever does not, will not. We are here to change the celebration and the backroom deals of the politicking that has run rampant here in recent years." He reiterated that advancing his party's "Servicemembers Law" is a non-negotiable condition for joining a coalition, emphasizing it as his central election promise.

Earlier, Smotrich had addressed Winter in a video, claiming Winter had refused to meet or speak directly about cooperation for six months. "We are on the same side, we both want the good of the State of Israel, we both want the victory of the national camp," Smotrich said.

Smotrich warned that Winter's independent run could lead to lost votes below the electoral threshold and harm the right-wing bloc. He mentioned seeking to join forces before the list submission deadline and believes Winter has a significant public role. Smotrich also accused Winter of hypocrisy, contrasting Winter's call for respectful politics with his campaign's nature, which Smotrich described as "one big step" on the Prime Minister and himself. He urged Winter to reconsider, stating, "Ofer my brother, you have lost your way. It is not too late to stop and correct."

The exchange began Monday when Winter released a video after his meeting with Rabbi Sadan, presenting an "alternative of different leadership for the right, leadership that takes responsibility," and declaring, "We are here only for the people of Israel and we are going all the way with full force."