Ofer Winter, a former Israeli brigadier general, launched a new political party, Amcha Yisrael, this week in Jerusalem, signaling another entrant into the Israeli right-wing political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections. The event, marked by an energized atmosphere and supporters wearing shirts with the slogan "Winter is coming," underscored Winter’s ambitions. The party’s name, which translates to "People of Israel," reflects his stated focus on national renewal, strength, and hope.
Winter’s rhetoric, however, has drawn criticism for embracing far-right and messianic tones. He advocates for the emigration of Gaza’s Palestinian population, a stance likened by some observers to calls for population transfer, aligning him with established nationalist figures such as Bezalel Smotrich, Orit Strock, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Amichai Eliyahu. Winter has spoken of a personal, almost religious calling to “unite” the right-wing, expressing sentiments that suggest a blend of ideological conviction and political aspiration.
His entry into the political arena has prompted concern among Netanyahu’s Likud party. Some analysts suggest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s overt attacks on Winter aim to redirect votes away from Winter and toward the established right-wing bloc, including Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party or centrist alternatives. Despite these efforts, the right-wing bloc faces instability, with multiple smaller parties risking their electoral prospects compared to the center-left bloc’s relatively stable standing.
Critics from both within and outside the right have questioned Winter’s qualifications and motivations. Effi Eitam, a former politician with similar background, described Winter’s claims of hearing voices as indicative of potential dangers in political leadership. Others highlight Winter’s admission that his military career was shaped by ideological and political factors rather than solely professional merit. His controversial past includes the distribution of a nationalist-oriented letter to troops during Operation Protective Edge, which some viewed as inflammatory.
In terms of policy, Winter rejects Israel’s existing security doctrine and diplomatic approaches, opposing policies of containment and cautioning against reliance on preconceptions. Notably, he declined to explicitly blame any entities for the events of October 7, instead positioning himself as a decisive figure who would not rely on independent investigative mechanisms.
While Winter stopped short of naming a preferred prime minister outright, he indicated support for Netanyahu, expressing a desire to serve as defense minister within any future government led by the prime minister. This apparent alignment has led to speculation about Winter’s potential impact on right-wing coalition dynamics, especially as his presence challenges the positions of established figures such as Smotrich.
The emergence of Amcha Yisrael has added to the fragmentation of Israel’s right-wing, with observers noting that the party likely will seek a coalition with other nationalist and ultra-Orthodox factions. Some consider Winter’s candidacy a wildcard in an already strained political environment, especially given his mix of hardline positions and messianic rhetoric. The coming weeks will reveal whether Amcha Yisrael can translate its energized launch into electoral success or remains on the periphery of Israel’s shifting political spectrum.