Ofer Winter's Political Ambitions Stumble Amidst Right-Wing Infighting

The Am Israel party, led by retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, was once touted as the major electoral promise for the Israeli right. For over a year, Winter held rallies across Israel, generating excitement among young supporters, particularly those who served in the October 7th war, seeing him as a fresh face. His militant-themed videos gained traction on social media. While his party's success in crossing the electoral threshold and securing Knesset seats remains uncertain, Winter recently admitted that declaring his party would only endorse Benjamin Netanyahu for Prime Minister might have been a misstep.

This declaration created a contradiction, as Winter's party also sharply criticized Netanyahu's and Bezalel Smotrich's handling of the war and the issue of ultra-Orthodox enlistment. This stance clashed with their commitment to support Netanyahu. The campaign has faced significant backlash, with Likud members reportedly targeting Winter. A group calling itself "Oslo Disaster Families" also mobilized against him, including families of terror victims whose relatives were killed decades after the Oslo Accords, a period during which Netanyahu served as Prime Minister. Lili Darai, a bereaved mother and candidate for Am Israel, criticized the use of the "bereaved families" label, stating that such families hold diverse opinions.

Winter's strategic error is seen not only in the contradictory messaging but also in timing. His late August entry into the political arena, just before the deadline for list submissions, may have been too late. Earlier in 2026, when Smotrich's Religious Zionism party struggled to pass the electoral threshold, Winter could have presented a stronger alternative. By the time he entered, Smotrich's party had begun to recover. Winter's opportunity to challenge Smotrich diminished further after his party merged with Moshe Feiglin's faction, securing more seats but leaving Winter's party behind.

Despite the challenges, Winter and his party are determined to continue. Smotrich has reportedly offered Winter a ministerial position in exchange for withdrawing his candidacy, a proposal Winter's party has rejected. The party emphasizes its diverse slate of candidates, including Arab Christian member Yosef Haddad, and states that withdrawal is unacceptable, especially as early voting has begun. The internal conflict within the right-wing bloc intensifies as the campaign nears its end, leaving a bitter taste.