Ofer Winter Rejects Offers to Withdraw, Rules Out Coalition with Yair Golan

Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Echad Yisrael party, announced Wednesday that he will not withdraw from the political race and clarified that his party's right-wing affiliation does not guarantee automatic support for a future government. "We are in the right-wing camp, but there will be no blank check here. If they give, they will receive; if they don't give, they won't receive," Winter stated. He outlined two key demands: legislation for a "Soldier's Status Law" to support combatants and shift national priorities, and the promotion of a decisive solution involving voluntary migration from Gaza. Winter explicitly rejected the possibility of forming a government with Yair Golan, stating, "We will not take our votes and form a government with Yair Golan, that will never happen."

Winter also criticized Smotrich, who he claimed offered him a position in a future government, and denied Smotrich's assertion that he had previously offered Winter the leadership of his party. "We didn't come for a job, as you are accustomed to. We came to change. We came to lead a path," Winter declared, emphasizing a commitment to serving soldiers rather than engaging in political maneuvering and job distribution. He positioned his party as an alternative for right-wing voters feeling unrepresented.

Winter detailed alleged pressure campaigns and smear tactics against his party, primarily from within the right-wing camp, including harassment of candidates and their families, private investigators, pressure on rabbis, and even a "Pulsa Denura" curse against a bereaved mother. He did not identify the perpetrators of these actions, labeling them "yesterday's politics." He argued that a strong party under his leadership would prevent both a "Golan-Abbas" government and one where Netanyahu is dependent on Goldknopf and other political operatives, asserting it's the only chance for a broad, serving right-wing government that defeats enemies, not its own people.

Addressing concerns about his party failing to pass the electoral threshold, Winter urged undecided voters to trust his movement, promising significant power to enact change if they believe in them. He concluded by addressing reservists and soldiers who he said are supporting his party, vowing to earn their trust and stating that their support is the reason his party entered politics.