Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter officially launched his new right-wing party, Amcha Yisrael, in Jerusalem on Tuesday, unveiling a slate that includes Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad, former Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, reservists, bereaved relatives and residents of communities hit hard on October 7.
Winter announced the party at an event at Jerusalem's Shalva Center, presenting the upcoming October 27 election as a choice between Israel's existing political leadership and what he described as a new generation shaped by the failures and fighting that followed the October 7 massacre.
"The upcoming election is a referendum," Winter said in his launch speech, arguing that voters would be choosing between a military doctrine based on initiative and decisive action and what he described as continued containment. He also cited the integration of haredim into the IDF, relations with Arab Israelis who support the state, judicial reform and organized crime as issues his party would seek to address.
Winter said the party would bring together people who had not been part of the political or security failures surrounding October 7, but who had fought during the war, paid personal costs and were prepared to enter politics.
Among the most prominent names on the slate is Haddad, an Arab-Israeli advocacy activist who has become a leading pro-Israel voice overseas. Haddad had registered a new political party ahead of the election and had been holding talks with Winter before Tuesday's announcement.
Haddad: After military, hasbara, it is time for a new frontier
Haddad's introduction at the launch included remarks in both Arabic and Hebrew. He spoke of the honor he felt serving Israel, first through his military service and later through public diplomacy, and said he had decided that it was time to continue that fight on a new front.
His decision to join Winter comes after Likud officials expressed concern that a Winter-Haddad alliance could split the right-wing vote, particularly if smaller parties competing for the same constituency fail to cross the electoral threshold.
Winter introduced other members of the slate partly through the communities they represent. They included journalist Netali Shem-Tov from the northernmost Metula, down to Sigal Kroanik, bereaved widow of Be'eri's local security coordinator, who was killed on October 7.
From Neve Ilan, Winter selected Eran Ben-Ari, a lawyer who previously served in the Defense Ministry and the State Attorney's Office.
The list also includes Davidi Ben Zion, a reservist and local government official from the Samaria region, and Col. (res.) Eli Gino, who served as a Golani battalion commander during Operation Protective Edge.
Winter adds former Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum to party list
Winter also tapped Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, a former deputy mayor of Jerusalem who made aliyah roughly 25 years ago, and Lali Deri, the mother of a fallen IDF soldier.
Economist Ronen Bondero and Aviv Ezra, founder of the Generation of Victory movement, were also presented as members of the slate. Both fought on October 7 and served hundreds of days of reserve duty during the war.
Winter repeatedly emphasized the military and reserve-service backgrounds of his candidates, presenting the party as a coalition of religious and secular Israelis, residents of cities and border communities, Jews and Arabs.
"We don't care about the chair. We care about the people," Winter said in his speech, describing the slate as people who view Judaism as "a family and not a battlefield."
The former Givati Brigade commander also left little ambiguity about the party's political positioning, declaring Amcha Yisrael part of the right-wing camp and saying it would seek to establish as broad a right-wing government as possible with Zionist partners.
Winter rejected the creation of a Palestinian state and called for migration from Gaza as the solution for the enclave. He also argued that an enemy that initiates a war against Israel should pay a territorial price and said Israeli soldiers must be prioritized over enemy civilians.
Winter’s military career included commanding the Givati Brigade during Operation Protective Edge and serving as military secretary to several defense ministers.
In his launch speech, Winter framed his entry into politics as an extension of his 34 years of military service.
"I stand here before you with a group of fighters of a different kind, and ask for the public's trust, this time for the battle over the future of the country," he said.
He ended his speech with a prayer said on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, from which the name of the party is derived.
“Master of the Universe, behold, I am poor in deeds, trembling and frightened before Him who is enthroned upon the praises of Israel. I have come to stand and plead on behalf of Your people Israel, who have sent me.
“Lord, God of Israel, please grant success to the path upon which I am embarking and to the work I am undertaking, together with this entire wonderful group, for the sake of all Your people Israel.”