Ofer Winter, chairman of the Amcha Yisrael party and a brigadier general in the reserves, made clear on Thursday that his party will recommend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister. He made the comments after, he said, being repeatedly asked whether he was “with Bibi or not with Bibi."
Winter began by addressing the support his party has received since its launch. “We are receiving tremendous support and enthusiasm - thank you very much, the People of Israel. And we have only just begun," he said.
He then sought to clarify his position toward Netanyahu and his party’s political alignment. “We don’t work for any individual, only for the people of Israel." He immediately added: “We are part of the right-wing camp. The leader of the right-wing camp is Netanyahu, and he is the only one we will recommend."
At the same time, Winter stressed that his party intends to maintain its independence. “We will not dance to anyone’s tune," he declared.
He also addressed the issue of haredi military service, saying that haredim would be integrated into the IDF regardless of whether the haredi leadership agrees. “Haredim will serve in the IDF, with or without the haredi wheeler-dealers," he said.
Regarding the Gaza Strip, Winter said his party would work to promote voluntary emigration. “There will be voluntary emigration from Gaza, and there will be more than just an administration for emigration from Gaza," he said.
Winter also outlined his approach to security policy, saying he wants Israel to move from a policy of containment to one focused on decisive victory. “There will be a decisive outcome here, not containment," he declared.
At the end of his remarks, Winter also addressed Israeli public diplomacy, calling for a change in the way it is conducted. “There will be genuine public diplomacy on behalf of the State of Israel, not just a Ministry of Public Diplomacy. What happened before will not happen again," he concluded.