Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Ofer Winter during an event hosted by the Binyamin Regional Council on Tuesday evening.
“I have no personal problem with him, but rather a national problem. If he passes the electoral threshold, he will bring down other parties," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu addressed Winter, Avi Maoz and Moshe Feiglin, calling on them to take responsibility for the fate of the right-wing bloc. “Feiglin, Winter, Avi Maoz - either withdraw or unite with the existing parties. If you care about the Land of Israel and the people of Israel, this is what you need to do."
Ofer Winter launched a new party under his leadership on Tuesday evening, called “Amcha Yisrael" (“Your People, Israel"), following a period during which Winter had been considering entering the political arena.
Among the names unveiled at the top of the list are activist Yoseph Haddad and journalist Natalie Shem Tov. They are joined by attorney Eran Ben-Ari, Lali Deri, Davidi Ben Zion, Aviv Ezra and Sigal Kraulnik.
Winter outlined the political principles that will guide the party. “We are a clear and unequivocal part of the right-wing camp. We will do everything possible to establish the broadest right-wing government possible, with as many Zionist partners as possible." Regarding the slate he assembled, he said they are “people who did not take part in the failures of October 7 - but fought, paid heavy prices, and are willing to enter the political arena - in order to repair and rebuild - for the future of us all."
Haddad, who was placed second on the list, said at the launch that he intends to work toward reestablishing the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and serve as Minister of Public Diplomacy - not as a marginal body, he said, but as a leading ministry with a large budget. “Public diplomacy is an inseparable part of Israel’s security," he said.
He also declared that he intends to be “the first Arab in the Security Cabinet," saying: “We will bring to the decision-making table the voice of a proud Israeli Arab who understands the enemy, thinks like it and knows the regional mentality. Together with Ofer Winter as the next Defense Minister, we will challenge the system from within."