Ofer Winter Challenges Right-Wing Leadership With Call for Renewal After October 7

Ofer Winter, a prominent figure in Religious Zionism and former IDF commander, launched his new political party "Amcha Israel," emphasizing authentic right-wing values such as love of the land, tradition, service, sacrifice, personal responsibility, and national unity. In his party launch speech, Winter criticized the current right-wing leadership for failing to prevent the devastating events of October 7, implicitly holding them accountable for the worst disaster in Israel's history since its founding. He called for a broad right-wing government with many Zionist partners but stressed the need for new leaders untainted by past failures, who have demonstrated real sacrifice and readiness to serve.

Winter challenges the monopoly on the "right-wing" label held by figures like Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the Likud party, questioning their actual contributions beyond slogans and provocations. Unlike them, Winter brings a biography of military service, leadership, and personal sacrifice, including his family’s expulsion from Gush Katif. His party’s diverse roster includes individuals from various backgrounds, such as Arab-Israeli Christian Golani veteran Yosef Hadad and former Givati reconnaissance battalion commander Eli Gino, reflecting a broader, inclusive vision of the national camp that transcends religious, ethnic, and political divides.

Winter’s emergence poses a direct challenge to Smotrich and Ben-Gvir by offering a right-wing alternative that is ideologically firm yet responsible and statesmanlike, rejecting provocations that harm Israel’s international standing. He also threatens Likud by appealing to right-wing voters disillusioned with the current government but unwilling to shift to centrist or left-wing parties. Reports suggest Netanyahu’s camp is preparing a campaign to retain voters tempted by Winter’s new party.

Winter’s core message is a return to the roots of the right: love for all of Israel, love for the people, tradition grounded in affection rather than coercion, responsibility alongside rights, and a right-wing that embodies service, unity, and national accountability. His critique comes from within the ideological right, making it sharper and more impactful. Ultimately, Winter asks whether Israel’s right-wing after October 7 will be one of empty slogans and evasion of responsibility or one of genuine service, sacrifice, and introspection, a question that currently unsettles the national camp’s leadership.