Ofer Winter Struggles Over LGBT Rights Question in Heated Live Interview
Ofer Winter struggled in a live Channel 13 interview when pressed on LGBT rights and future coalition partnerships, sparking a heated studio debate with presenters over his political positions.
Ofer Winter Stumbles Over LGBT Rights Question in Live Interview
Brigadier General (res.) Ofer Winter, head of the "Omer Yisrael" party, faced an awkward moment during a live broadcast when asked to clarify his stance on LGBT rights, struggling to provide a direct answer. "Listen, I don't rule it out and I don't say yes to everything. Give me something practical and we'll talk," he said.
During a tense interview on the "Moriah ve-Berkov" show on Channel 13, the direct question completely threw the former commander off balance, leading to a heated confrontation with presenters Moriah Asraf and Eyal Berkovic.
The incident occurred when Asraf asked Winter whether his party would support legislation granting equal rights to same-sex couples and easing the process of family formation and surrogacy. Winter, visibly surprised by the question, reacted with discomfort: "Because I have a kippah on my head, they're asking me this question?" Asraf quickly clarified that this is a question every politician entering the arena must answer, regardless of religious background.
Clash Over Practical Legislation
Winter's lack of preparedness to give a sharp "for" or "against" answer immediately ignited the studio. Eyal Berkovic cut him off and attacked him directly: "You know who you remind me of right now? Netanyahu. 'I don't hear, I don't see.' You don't rule it out and you don't say yes, you can't just say 'I don't know' to everything."
Winter tried to fend off the criticism and explain that, from his perspective, equal rights also require equal civil duties. "I commanded all types of soldiers in the IDF, we never treated anyone differently and everyone had equal rights," he argued. "I think every citizen in the State of Israel should have equal rights, provided they also have equal duties."
Asraf tried to bring him back to practical ground, wondering if he would raise his hand in favor of specific community laws. Winter dug in his heels and refused to commit: "I am a person who loves people and wants every person in the State of Israel to feel comfortable and receive the rights they deserve. But you are asking me about laws that haven't been written yet, you can't answer like that."
Red Lines and Future Coalition Plans
Beyond the LGBT issue, the pressure in the studio mounted when Winter was asked about potentially sitting in a future coalition alongside Haredi parties. Berkovic pressed to know if he would agree to sit in a government that includes Yitzhak Goldknopf, and Winter drew a clear red line: "I didn't tell you I want to, I told you I don't want him to be the 61st finger."
He clarified that his goal is to force a dramatic change in burden-sharing, and no longer allow reliance on narrow governments: "We want a broad right-wing government that will embrace and unite the people of Israel, and our voice will strengthen those who serve and will not allow extortion."
