Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter Condemns Populist Rhetoric on Ultra-Orthodox IDF Conscription

Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter sharply criticized the ongoing political debate over the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Addressing politicians from opposition parties, Winter challenged them to account for their actual achievements, asking how many ultra-Orthodox recruits they have brought into the IDF over the years they have been involved in the issue. He accused them of engaging in empty political battles focused on gaining power rather than producing tangible results.

Winter highlighted the contradictory claims made by politicians, with some promising to enlist all ultra-Orthodox men, others suggesting 70%, and some opposing any conscription at all. He emphasized that integrating ultra-Orthodox soldiers into the IDF requires hard work and building trust within the ultra-Orthodox community, rather than relying on populist slogans. Winter concluded his remarks by calling for an end to what he described as "false populism" surrounding this sensitive topic.