Jerusalem, 28 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, head of the Amcha Yisrael party, took personal responsibility Wednesday evening for his party’s failure to cross the electoral threshold in Israel’s 26th Knesset election.
In a detailed social media post quoting poet Shaul Tchernichovsky, Winter reflected on his political journey since the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre. He said Israel needed a different leadership that would unite the nation, pursue truth and justice, accept responsibility, and make decisive decisions.
“Unfortunately, I did not succeed. Not yet,” Winter wrote, acknowledging mistakes and declaring, “The responsibility is mine.”
Despite the setback, he indicated he would remain politically active, writing, “We are here for a long and shared journey.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had repeatedly urged Winter to withdraw, warning his candidacy could waste right-wing votes. Smotrich reportedly offered him a Defense Ministry position in exchange for dropping out, but Winter refused and publicly insulted Netanyahu.
