Retired General Ofer Winter Vows to Fight for Right-Wing Government
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, leading the "Amcha Israel" party, is running for the Knesset with a platform focused on a new right-wing approach to security and governance. Winter criticizes past leadership for the October 7th failures and proposes a radical strategy for Gaza involving population displacement and emigration. He opposes forming a coalition with parties led by Mansour Abbas and Yair Golan, and insists on a law for ultra-Orthodox conscription as a condition for joining a government. Winter vows to fight for his vision of a strong, unifying right-wing government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Retired General Ofer Winter's "Amcha Israel" party will not withdraw from elections despite low polls.
- Winter criticizes Netanyahu and Eisenkot for October 7th failures, advocating a new defense concept.
- He proposes expelling Gaza's population and initiating emigration as a solution for the region.
- Winter demands a law for ultra-Orthodox conscription as a condition for coalition entry.
- He vows to prevent a government with Mansour Abbas and Yair Golan, deeming it dangerous.
Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, known for his independent views, is running for the Knesset with his new party, "Amcha Israel," aiming to become the next defense minister. In an interview with Newsru.co.il, Winter stated his party would not withdraw from the election race, despite low poll numbers, asserting that only they can prevent a government led by Mansour Abbas and Yair Golan. He believes his party represents a new message for Israeli politics, emerging after the October 7th tragedy, and seeks to change leadership style to one that is unifying.
Winter criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot for the "concept" of deterrence that he believes led to the October 7th failures. He specifically blamed Eisenkot's policies of "containment" and misreading enemy plans. While acknowledging Netanyahu's responsibility, Winter emphasized that his party's candidates were not part of the previous failed policies. He rejected a reported offer to join the Likud and Tzionut Datit parties, arguing that the right-wing bloc is currently beholden to a flawed "concept" and that many right-wing voters are disillusioned with existing parties.
Addressing the controversial issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription, Winter stated his party would condition coalition entry on a law that provides benefits for those who serve and disadvantages those who do not. He also proposed a new defense strategy for Gaza, advocating for the expulsion of the population to the south, establishing a humanitarian zone, and initiating an emigration process, a concept he believes aligns with David Ben-Gurion's vision. Winter criticized the current military leadership's approach to Gaza, calling it a continuation of the failed "settlement and appeasement" policy that preceded October 7th.
Winter recounted that IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi had advised against him becoming Netanyahu's military secretary, citing his "dangerous" strategic thinking. He also revealed that he had advised Netanyahu against the army's initial ground maneuver plan in Gaza, proposing instead a blockade and population displacement strategy. Winter expressed strong opposition to forming a government with Yair Golan and Mansour Abbas, deeming it dangerous for Israel, and also rejected the idea of a government reliant on Yitzhak Goldknopf.
Winter also touched upon a personal matter, explaining his advice to Eli Feldstein regarding a conflict of interest in hiring Amit Haddad as a lawyer. He maintained his commitment to truth and justice, stating that his actions were not personal and that he would not compromise his principles. He reiterated his party's unwavering stance, stating, "I did not give up and will not give up. We will go to the end on the chosen path."
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