Former IDF General Ofer Winter Launches New Right-Wing Party with Fresh Faces

Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter is set to launch a new political party on the upcoming Tuesday, featuring an entirely new slate of candidates with no former Knesset members. This move is not merely symbolic but a foundational principle aimed at presenting an alternative composed of individuals outside the traditional political system. The party will include a diverse mix of men and women, secular and religious, Jewish and non-Jewish, with the goal of building a Zionist, popular-security party appealing to broad segments of Israeli society.

Winter’s primary target is to reclaim right-wing voters disillusioned with existing coalition parties, particularly in the wake of the October 7 events and ongoing debates over the military draft law. Current right-wing leaders like Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the Likud are seen as unable to independently regain these voters. To address this, Winter is engaging with key right-wing figures such as public diplomacy activist Yosef Hadad and Leli Deri, mother of the late Staff Sergeant Saadia Deri.

A central issue for Winter’s party will be the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews who do not study Torah, advocating for the Israel Defense Forces to provide frameworks that respect their lifestyle rather than alienating the Haredi community. Winter emphasizes building trust as essential for success, rejecting political conflicts that serve activists or fuel hatred.

Winter also promotes a decisive security doctrine, insisting Israel must clearly defeat its enemies rather than merely manage conflict. Politically, he positions himself firmly on the right, committed to the right-wing camp and opposing any government led by Benny Gantz or scenarios that shift power to the left. If necessary, Winter pledges to be the 61st vote supporting Benjamin Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc.

His overarching aim is to strengthen the right-wing camp, recover lost votes, reshape Israel’s security outlook, and foster genuine integration of the Haredi community into the IDF and Israeli society.