Ofer Winter Declines to Resign, Citing Ideological Mission

Ofer Winter, chairman of the 'Am Yisrael' party, announced he will not be resigning from politics, following a similar declaration by a member of the ultra-Orthodox 'Charedi Public' party. Winter has been under significant pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionism party chairman Bezalel Smotrich, with Smotrich reportedly offering Winter a ministerial position from the Religious Zionism party's quota to persuade him to leave.

In a statement released Tuesday evening, Winter asserted that his party entered politics to offer a leadership alternative for a large segment of the right-wing public that feels unrepresented by existing parties. He criticized parties that identify as right-wing but boycott the right, and the outgoing coalition parties for repeatedly compromising on principles for the sake of "deal-making and connections" that harm the public.

Winter described facing "ugly and incomprehensible fire," primarily from within his own political camp, since declaring that "servants, youth, combat soldiers, and the periphery deserve more." He detailed alleged tactics used against his party, including curses, harassment of candidates and their families, private investigators, and pressure on rabbis, calling it "politics of yesterday" that drives good people away from public service.

He directly addressed Smotrich, stating, "I did not come for a job, as you are accustomed to." Winter refuted Smotrich's past claim that he was offered the top spot in Smotrich's party, and rejected the current offer of a government position, emphasizing their goal is to "change, to lead a path, to serve those who serve, and not to enable the continuation of deal-making and position distribution."

Winter also dismissed Netanyahu's suggestion that he would ally with Yair Golan in a "left-wing government." Winter reaffirmed his commitment to the right-wing camp, stating his positions have not changed in 34 years of IDF service and will not change now, despite personal attacks. He clarified that his support for a government is conditional: "If they give, they will receive; if they don't give, they won't receive." Specific conditions include passing legislation for combat soldiers and changing national priorities, and enabling voluntary immigration from Gaza. He stated his party would never lend its votes to form a government with Yair Golan or a Netanyahu government dependent on figures like Goldknopf and other deal-makers. "When we are strong, there is a chance to establish a broad right-wing government, a serving right-wing, a right-wing that defeats its enemies and not its brothers," he concluded.