As polls question whether his party will cross the electoral threshold, Ofer Winter, chairman of the Israel Amcha party and a retired brigadier general, appeared Wednesday alongside party candidate Yosef Hadad to lay out their political red lines ahead of upcoming elections. The two rejected pressure from various right-wing figures to dissolve their list or merge with other parties, and set an unequivocal condition for joining any future coalition government.
Winter opened by addressing recent attempts to undermine his new party. "Citizens of Israel, last week we launched Israel Amcha and presented our excellent team. A clean, new, honest team of fighters who came to serve all Israeli citizens, not just one sector or another. We are not sectoral. We are your people, Israel," he said.
He criticized political pressure tactics: "In recent days we've seen how various elements are trying to dismantle us by any means. Spreading spin and lies about us, briefing reporters, publishing ads, trying to frighten the public, the public that's sick of old politics. Friends, we're all here together to tell you clearly: it won't work. The people of Israel want something different. No more wheeling and dealing over seats. Yes to integrity, truth and ideology."
Winter then presented his uncompromising position on haredi military service, pledging fundamental change in Israel's approach to the draft. "I commit to you this evening, with all my colleagues here with me, we intend to integrate the haredi community into the IDF without compromises and without delays. No more of the same. What was will not be. Those who haven't succeeded in integrating haredim into the IDF until now won't do it in the future either. Those who haven't managed in three years to establish a commission of inquiry that will earn broad public trust and investigate the truth won't succeed in establishing one in the future. Those who haven't managed in three years to bring about a clear decision in Gaza won't succeed in doing so with the current lineup. If Israel Amcha is strong in the next government, these things will happen. And we are committed to that."
Winter also addressed his previous statements about belonging to the right-wing camp and supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while explaining the clear boundaries he's set. He acknowledged disappointing some supporters: "A few days ago I said publicly that Israel Amcha is part of the right-wing camp and will recommend Netanyahu as prime minister. Many congratulated me, because they understood we're in the right-wing camp and clearly won't go with Liberman, Bennett and others who already formed a government with the Muslim Brotherhood movement. But there were also those hurt by my words. They said: 'We were so excited about your announcement, so enthusiastic that there's good news for the people of Israel, you promised something new, so Netanyahu??' First, I apologize to those who were disappointed. We will always tell you the truth! We won't lie."
Winter then set a clear, unambiguous condition for all current and future political partners, emphasizing it must be implemented before the government is sworn in: "I say explicitly, we don't serve a person, we serve a people. We will not enter a government that doesn't pass, before its formation, a law that ends draft evasion and requires everyone to show up and contribute. If that doesn't happen, we won't be in the government. Period. Every young person of service age will report to the state. No sector is above the law. Those who serve will receive. Those who contribute more will receive much more. Combat soldiers and reservists will be at the top of national priorities. I repeat, the service law will pass before the government is sworn in. Not a promise, not a clause in a coalition agreement, and not 'after we form a government.' No one will deceive us."
The party chairman made clear he won't yield to pressure to place his people on other right-wing lists, addressing the political establishment directly: "We don't intend to give in. We won't fall, won't dismantle, and won't let anyone drive a wedge between us. We won't put two people here and two there. We're not looking for job placement. Start getting used to it, none of the people here came for a seat. I'm saying this to the people of Israel, to all my friends on the right, and also to the prime minister, we didn't embark on this path for our personal benefit or on a whim. We have a clear path and we'll insist on it. Anyone who thinks that in the upcoming elections on October 27, twenty days after the anniversary of the October 7 massacre, there won't be a protest vote here is living in a fantasy and disconnected from reality! Where will hundreds of thousands of young men and women who have no one to vote for go? They won't vote. To them I say, Israel Amcha is your home."
Winter concluded by addressing possible future political mergers, but confined them to strict conditions: "It's important for me to say tonight, we're not closing the door to connections, but connections will only be made with new and clean people. We'll welcome anyone who wants to come fix things and put the good of the people of Israel first, who isn't tainted by October 7, and who comes to change the divisive and violent discourse that led us to the terrible massacre, our home is open to them. We continue forward together with all our strength, not out of irresponsibility, but out of great responsibility, responsibility to the State of Israel, responsibility to the magnificent generation growing up here and fighting here. Responsibility to the people of Israel and to all our futures. On October 27, there's someone to vote for."
