Ofer Winter's 'Amcha Israel' Party Rules Out Coalition With Left-Wing Camp

Ofer Winter, a retired IDF brigadier general, launched his new political party 'Amcha Israel' ahead of the 26th Knesset elections, emphasizing a firm stance against alliances with the left-wing political camp. A party source told Channel 14's political analyst Noam Amir that cooperation with the center-left is off the table, stating explicitly, "We will not go with the left." The source also ruled out support for figures such as Benny Gantz, Avigdor Lieberman, and Naftali Bennett as future prime ministers.

This declaration comes amid rising concerns within the right-wing camp that Winter's party might align with left-leaning factions. The controversy intensified after Ronen Manlis, a close advisor to former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, publicly praised Winter's party launch on social media, calling it a "high-level event" and encouraging Winter to "run." This endorsement sparked immediate criticism from right-wing commentators, including Noam Amir and panelist Yaki Edmeker, who warned that such support signals a strategic move toward the left and serves as a political warning to the right.

Winter's party list is expected to include notable figures such as public diplomacy activist Yosef Hadad and Leli Deri, alongside fighters and public figures. In his launch speech at the Shiloh Center in Jerusalem, Winter stressed the urgent need to shift Israel's security approach from containment to decisive victory against enemies across all fronts. Following the backlash, Winter's team has sought to clarify that despite attempts to "adopt" him from the left, his political orientation remains firmly right-wing.