Ofer Winter

As Winter fuels Netanyahu’s discontent, Israel's Right faces a new dilemma

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Ofer Winter is betting Israelis want new leadership after October 7, while Netanyahu warns the new party could waste right-wing votes and weaken his bloc in the coming election.

OFER WINTER attends the launch of the People of Israel party in Jerusalem on Tuesday. He can introduce individuals without political experience into his party because, after October 7, such candidates can say: ‘We did not create this mess. Give us a chance to clean it up.’
The launch of the new Amcha Yisrael party, led by Ofer Winter, ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Jerusalem, August 25, 2026.

Winter's claimed support for Netanyahu overshadows his campaign, may siphon Likud voters - analysis

The launch of the new People of Israel party, led by Ofer Winter, ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Jerusalem, August 25, 2026.

Ofer Winter, unification of Arab parties, shake up Knesset seats, push RZP below threshold - poll

MK Yuli Edelstein speaks during a conference at the Reichman University in Herzliya, on January 13, 2026.

Gilad Erdan confirms talks with Benny Gantz on possible election alliance


Editor's Notes: October 7 shattered Israel’s old political map, next election may redraw it

The next election may reveal a political reshuffle already underway, as Israelis no longer fit neatly into the camps that shaped the country for decades.

The launch of the new People of Israel party, led by Ofer Winter, ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Jerusalem, August 25, 2026.

Netanyahu calls for Otzma Yehudit and RZP to unite, Ben-Gvir signals his opposition

"Only a large Otzma Yehudit, together with Smotrich and Ofer Winter running together, only in this way can a fully right-wing government be formed," Ben-Gvir said.

(L-R): National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen in the Knesset plenum, December 29, 2022

Ofer Winter says new People of Israel party will only back Netanyahu for PM

Former IDF general Ofer Winter positioned his new party firmly in the right-wing camp, backing Netanyahu and calling for changes to haredi draft policy.

 The launch of the new  People of Israel party, led by Ofer Winter, ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Jerusalem, August 25, 2026.

'We lost 10 seats': Netanyahu struggles to find campaign strategy as Likud slips in polls - report

The conversations held by the prime minister indicated that he is skeptical of polls that show favorable results for him and believes that the situation is worse than those surveys suggest.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casts his ballot at his party Likud's main polling station during primary elections ahead of Israel's general election in October in Jerusalem on August 17, 2026; illustrative

A new Right? Winter’s People of Israel could secure six seats, at expense of Smotrich's RZP - poll

Although the Religious Zionism Party also received six seats, it would fail to cross the threshold to enter Knesset, according to the Wendesday poll.

Ofer Winter speaks during his party announcement event on August 25, 2026.

Arab Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad joins Winter's People of Israel, aims to be hasbara minister

Haddad argued that public diplomacy is inseparable from Israel's national security, saying he aimed to be Israel’s next public diplomacy minister and the first Arab member of the security cabinet.

Arab Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad joins the Amcha Yisrael Party on August 25, 2026.