Religious ex-IDF general Ofer Winter announces new right-wing party ahead of 2026 elections

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter officially launched his new right-wing party on Tuesday, positioning himself for the upcoming October elections. At the party's launch event, Winter announced that Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Hadad would join his electoral list. Hadad addressed the attendees in both Arabic and Hebrew, expressing his honor in serving Israel through military service and public diplomacy (hasbara), and stating his belief that it is now time to engage in a new form of advocacy.

Winter introduced members of his party list by highlighting their origins and connections to various Israeli communities. Among those presented were journalist Netali Shem-Tov from Metula, a town near Israel's northern border, and Sigal Kroanik, the Local Security Coordinator of Be'eri, a kibbutz heavily impacted by the October 7th attacks, where she lost her husband. The inclusion of individuals with such diverse backgrounds and experiences aims to underscore the party's broad appeal within Israeli society.

Further additions to the list include Eran Ben-Ari from Neve Ilan, a lawyer with prior experience in the Defense Ministry and the State Attorney’s Office. Winter also welcomed Davidi Ben Zion, a reservist who serves as Deputy Mayor of the Judea and Samaria Regional Council, and Colonel (res.) Eli Gino, a former commander of the Golani Battalion during Operation Protective Edge. The party's formation and the composition of its initial list signal a move by Winter to translate his public profile into a political movement ahead of the national elections.

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it was time to join the fight on a new front.