Ofer Winter Launches New Party Committed to Netanyahu-Led Right Wing and Haredi Draft Reform

Ofer Winter is set to officially launch his new political party on Tuesday, presenting its core principles after months of preparation. The party will emphasize a firm commitment to the right-wing bloc led by Benjamin Netanyahu and a clear rejection of joining a government headed by Benny Gantz. A central issue for Winter’s party is advancing the drafting of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews into the Israel Defense Forces through tailored military frameworks that accommodate their unique needs.

Winter, who aims to become Israel’s next defense minister, plans to attract disillusioned voters from Likud and the Religious Zionist Party. While he is focused on building a sizable party, he has not ruled out uniting with other right-wing factions if running independently risks weakening the bloc’s chances of forming a government. He intends to avoid confrontational rhetoric against the Haredi community, unlike politicians such as Avigdor Lieberman or Amir Ohana, instead promoting a pragmatic approach that compels the IDF to adapt to absorb a larger number of Haredi recruits.

Unlike some right-wing leaders, Winter does not condition his participation in a Netanyahu-led government on the inclusion of left-wing parties and does not exclude any existing right-wing parties, including Haredi factions, from potential coalitions. His strategy reflects a balancing act between expanding his political base and maintaining right-wing unity ahead of the 2026 elections.