Ofer Winter Vows to Run Through Elections, Conditions Support for Netanyahu

Brigadier General (res.) Ofer Winter, leader of the Amcha Yisrael party, stated in a recent interview that his party will run in the upcoming Knesset elections until the very end, regardless of current poll numbers. Winter emphasized that as a combat soldier, he does not abandon the battlefield or leave his supporters behind. At the same time, he reiterated his intention to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister, though conditioning this support on specific demands regarding security, emigration from the Gaza Strip, and equal military enlistment.

Winter stressed that his backing for Netanyahu is not unconditional, expecting the prime minister to adopt the right-wing policies he advocates. "We came to demand. We came to achieve a decisive outcome... If not, I am telling you seriously, I am not anyone's employee," Winter stated during the broadcast.

Core Political Demands

The conditions set by Winter include achieving a military decision in the Gaza Strip, promoting voluntary emigration from the enclave, and advancing an equal enlistment bill, which he terms the "servicemen's law." He also expressed frustration with Netanyahu, noting he had previously trusted promises to form a broad right-wing government.

We trusted Netanyahu when he said he wanted a broad right-wing government. But everything being done here is aimed at preserving the status quo... We are not a blank check, Winter said.

Coalition Preferences and Red Lines

On the political front, Winter firmly ruled out sitting in a coalition with The Democrats leader Yair Golan, whom he accused of defaming Israel internationally. He also described a potential government led by Gadi Eisenkot as a "danger to the State of Israel." Conversely, he did not completely rule out an arrangement with ultra-Orthodox parties, provided the coalition remains a broad Zionist and right-wing administration that does not rely entirely on United Torah Judaism factions.

Winter also voiced dismay over attacks directed against members of his party list—including Sigal Kounik, Lali Deri, and Yosef Haddad—by figures within the wider right-wing camp. Addressing the October 7 fallout, Winter rejected claims that he attempted to deter field commanders from launching a ground maneuver, asserting that he consistently encouraged decisive action while urging senior leadership to adopt strategies aimed at shifting the population away from combat zones.