Ofer Winter, a former IDF colonel who chairs the Amcha Yisrael party, issued a sharp response to demands by Agudat Yisrael MK Yitzhak Goldknopf for unconditional military exemptions for all yeshiva students. Despite his criticism, Winter appeared to leave room for exemptions for those genuinely engaged in full-time Torah study.
In a statement, Winter accused Agudat Yisrael, a haredi (ultra-Orthodox) political party, of misleading the public. "We've seen the demands from Agudat Yisrael under Goldknopf's leadership. Enough with deceiving the public," he wrote. "There will be no government without addressing the status of those who serve. Our commitment to them comes first."
Winter challenged the notion that traditional haredi dress indicates religious scholarship. "Not everyone who wears black and white is studying Torah," he stated. "This system primarily harms the genuine Torah scholars."
He outlined his vision for haredi integration into national service: "Haredim will integrate into the IDF and national service. Those who contribute to the state will receive benefits. Those who serve more will receive much more. And those who don't serve, don't study, and don't contribute, will not enjoy benefits."
Despite the harsh tone, Winter's statement appears to represent a softening from remarks he made the previous week, when he hinted that those genuinely studying would receive exemptions. "I commit to you this evening, with all my colleagues here with me, we intend to bring about the integration of the haredi public into the IDF without compromises and without delays," he had declared at the time.
