Poll: Smotrich-Feiglin alliance pays off - and Ofer Winter takes the hit

Brigadier-General (res.) Ofer Winter, the leader of the recently established People of Israel party, has declared that his political faction will not participate in the upcoming government formation unless a universal draft law is enacted prior to the coalition's establishment. "We will not join a government that fails to pass legislation ending draft evasion and mandating universal service," Winter stated unequivocally, emphasizing, "Full stop."

He emphasized that every individual of military age must report for service, with no sector exempt from the law. Winter made the announcement as the October election deadline for submitting party lists approached.

Winter clarified that the party was "not closing the door to alliances," but would only consider partnering with "new and clean individuals," refusing to join existing parties from the current Knesset. The People of Israel party comprises Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad, former Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, reservists, and bereaved relatives.

Haddad, the party's second-ranked member, emphasized that the primary goal would be to combat crime in Arab society and promote an Arab-Israeli identity over a Palestinian identity within Arab-Israeli educational institutions. Notably, the party plans to advocate for the revival of the Public Diplomacy Ministry, which was abolished in 2023, to enhance Israel's reputation and bolster its security apparatus.