Extremists curse Ofer Winter: "Lowly traitor, you have no forgiveness"

Extremist Haredim gathered this evening, Tuesday, outside a recruitment event in Jerusalem. When Brigadier General (res.) Ofer Winter passed by, protesters began cursing him. They also committed acts of violence against those encouraging enlistment, chasing them through the city streets. So far, one Haredi individual has been arrested.

"Ofer Winter, you have no forgiveness," one protester shouted. "Inciter and seducer, woe to you. You are harming the Torah. God will pay you back. Heretic, be ashamed. You have no part in Judaism." The protester also shouted: "Lowly traitor. Traitor to the Jewish people."

Additional incidents occurred near the conference. Protesters chased a Haredi man suspected of supporting enlistment, and in another incident, they spat at and kicked those who were encouraging service.

Ofer Winter served as commander of the Fire Division, military secretary to the Minister of Defense, Chief of Staff of the Central Command, and commander of the Givati Brigade. He advocates for combining Torah study with the enlistment of Haredim who are not yeshiva students.

Winter is considering entering the political system in the upcoming elections. Last month, it was reported that he held talks with Brigadier General (res.) Amir Avivi, founder of the Habithonistim movement. Although Winter has been holding meetings, he has not yet officially announced his entry into politics. His name has been mentioned as a potential candidate on a list with Bezalel Smotrich, though he is also considering running with a new party of his own.

Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists Party, criticized the situation:

"The violence and persecution of young Haredim who simply wanted to learn about service tracks is a disgrace that has no place in the State of Israel. Where is the Minister of National Security? Where is the Prime Minister? Where is Smotrich, who is afraid of the Haredi functionaries? Silence is filth."

According to him, draft dodgers receive backing, while those who enlist receive a cold shoulder. "This is not the way of the Torah. This is a denial of the Torah and a blow to the state and its security."

Chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, tweeted:

"Right now in Jerusalem, dozens of violent deserters are running wild, spitting and cursing those who do serve. In the next government, draft dodgers will not have the leisure to chase soldiers and law-abiding citizens - they will be busy running in basic training."