Former Defense Advisor Joins Ofer Winter's New Right-Wing Party Ahead of Knesset Run

Ahead of the anticipated launch of retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter's new political party, key figures supporting him have begun to emerge. Among them is Kobi Eliraz, a former settlement advisor in the Defense Ministry under ministers Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon, Avigdor Lieberman, and Benjamin Netanyahu. Eliraz also advised Defense Minister Naftali Bennett on West Bank Area C issues. Once a close confidant of Lieberman, Eliraz distanced himself about a year ago to remain part of the right-wing bloc and hopes to see Lieberman reintegrate into it. Currently, Eliraz is advising Winter on his Knesset bid and may join the party list.

Eliraz explained the motivation behind forming the new party, stating that Winter is a serious, responsible, and principled individual who knows what he is doing. He believes Winter is now rescuing the right-wing, as so far, Bezalel Smotrich has failed to unite the right. According to Eliraz, those disappointed with Likud and Smotrich currently lack a political home. This development signals a potential reshaping of the right-wing political landscape ahead of the elections.