Journalist Natalie Shem Tov, who recently joined the "Amcha Yisrael" (Your People Israel) party led by former IDF commander Ofer Winter, appeared on 103FM radio this morning to defend her new political home and clarify her position on Israel's leadership. Speaking with hosts Amichai Atali and Gideon Oko, Shem Tov addressed attacks from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and explained why she still considers him the best option to lead the country.
She acknowledged Winter's statement that he would have resigned had he been prime minister on October 7, the day Hamas launched its devastating attack on southern Israel. "That's his understanding of responsibility," she said, "but he doesn't determine who leads the right-wing camp or who will be the next prime minister." She described Winter's goal as building "a good, new, and clean list" based on that principle of accountability, adding: "This is truly the only party not tainted by October 7th."
Despite joining Winter's party, Shem Tov made clear that Netanyahu remains her preferred candidate for prime minister. She explained that any future right-wing government under Netanyahu would necessarily look different from previous coalitions. "It can't be the same government, because there must be new people in it, and there are enough parties that can enter," she said.
She emphasized her party's position within the broader political landscape: "We are part of the right , and Netanyahu is the head of the right-wing camp. We're choosing between alternatives, and it can't happen with Gadi Eisenkot," referring to the former IDF chief of staff now in opposition politics. Shem Tov cited Eisenkot's recent statement about bringing 150,000 Gazans into Israel as disqualifying, noting: "After what we know happened in the Gaza border communities, it won't happen with Yair Golan, it won't happen with Mansour Abbas," naming other opposition figures.
Responding to Netanyahu's attack on her party during a Channel 14 interview the previous evening, Shem Tov suggested the criticism revealed his true concerns. "The attacker doesn't think the list isn't right-wing enough, and he doesn't think the list isn't worthy enough, after all, Netanyahu wanted half the people here in his own party," she said. "He attacks for one reason: he knows we have principles, and he knows we don't work for him, we work for the people of Israel. What was will not be what will be. Anyone who thinks that after what this nation has been through everything will stay the same is wrong and misleading."
