Retired Israel Defense Forces Brigadier General Ofer Winter, who recently established a new right-wing political party, confirmed Thursday that he will back current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the preferred candidate for prime minister in the upcoming elections. Winter stated that his party aligns with the right-wing bloc and will recommend only Netanyahu for the premiership.
In Israel’s parliamentary system, voters choose Knesset members rather than directly voting for prime minister. Following the election, the president consults with elected party representatives to identify the candidate most likely to form a governing coalition. While these recommendations are advisory, they often signal the prospective prime minister’s level of support in the 120-seat legislature.
Winter’s endorsement comes after a Likud-led campaign suggested he might attempt to form a government with other right-wing figures such as Avigdor Lieberman or Gadi Eisenkot, both of whom have positioned themselves as potential alternatives in polls. Winter’s remarks clarify that he intends to remain firmly within Netanyahu’s camp.
Winter’s newly launched party, Amcha Yisrael, which he unveiled on Tuesday, is positioned as a hardline right-wing faction aimed at building a broadly Zionist government. In his campaign launch speech, Winter emphasized his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state and called for the “emigration” of Gaza’s population as the singular solution to the Gaza conflict. He also criticized existing Israeli security approaches predating Hamas’ October 7 attack, pledging to overhaul national defense policy to be more proactive, decisively countering enemies and supporting defenders.
Beyond security, the party advocates for increased integration of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as well as inclusion of Arab citizens who share national interests. Winter also pledged to address crime and corruption in the Negev and Galilee regions.
Winter served 34 years in the IDF, including leadership roles such as commander of the elite 98th Paratroopers Division, military secretary to the defense minister, and chief of staff of the West Bank headquarters. He left active service in late 2024 after being passed over for promotion to major general twice.
His party ticket includes several far-right figures, such as Israeli-Arab activist Yoseph Haddad, journalist Netali Shem Tov, deputy head of the West Bank Samaria Regional Council Davidi Ben Zion, and families of Israelis killed in the October 7 attack and the ensuing conflict.
Responding to Netanyahu’s warning against voting for small parties that risk failing to pass the electoral threshold, Winter acknowledged critiques about his party’s inexperience but insisted that new voices are necessary following the transformative events of October 7. He described attempts to undermine his party as a resistance to political change and urged voters to consider the need for fresh leadership.