Ex-General Ofer Winter Takes Responsibility for Election Failure

Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, chairman of the 'Amcha Israel' party, has publicly accepted personal responsibility for his party's failure to cross the electoral threshold in the recent Knesset elections. In a detailed statement posted on social media, Winter reflected on his journey since the October 7th events, stating his belief that the Israeli people need a different kind of leadership, one that is unifying, seeks truth and justice, knows how to take responsibility, and can make decisions. He acknowledged that despite his efforts with a dedicated group of individuals to bring hope, partnership, and security, they had not yet succeeded.

Winter's admission follows election exit polls across all television channels that placed his party significantly below the required 3.25% threshold, meaning their votes would not translate into Knesset representation. Despite the disappointing outcome, Winter indicated he has no intention of leaving the political arena, stating, "We are here. For a long and shared journey." He thanked the party's activists and voters for their support and belief in the mission.

The statement comes a day after Winter's initial remarks to activists, where he emphasized a long-term vision and alluded to attacks from within the national camp. Also acknowledging the party's failure, Netali Shem Tov, who was ranked third on the list, posted her own message taking full personal responsibility and stating her intention to remain active in public life.

Leading up to the election, Winter faced considerable pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to withdraw his candidacy. They feared his party would not pass the threshold and would siphon votes from the national camp. Smotrich reportedly offered Winter a ministerial position in the Defense Ministry in exchange for withdrawing. Netanyahu and Smotrich also held emergency meetings with local authority leaders, warning against vote leakage to the "liberal right" and urging supporters to vote for the national camp, not parties like Lieberman's, emphasizing that Winter's votes would be crucial if he passed the threshold.

Winter, however, resisted these pressures, releasing a strong statement the previous week rejecting the calls for withdrawal and alleging harassment and ulterior motives behind the demands, asserting his party's commitment to change and leadership rather than seeking personal gain.