{
  "id": 5149714,
  "title": "Ofer Winter condition for joining government: Universal draft law passed before coalition formed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/ofer-winter-condition-for-joining-government-universal-draft-law",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T19:14:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-907373"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nWinter 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.",
  "summary": "“We will not join a government that does not pass, before it is formed, a law that puts an end to draft evasion and requires everyone to report for service and contribute,” Winter said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ofer Winter's party demands universal draft law before coalition formation.",
    "Winter ruled out joining existing Knesset parties, seeking clean alliances.",
    "Party focuses on combating Arab society crime and promoting Arab-Israeli identity."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "First poll after Ofer Winter enters politics: Six seats, Smotrich out",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/first-poll-after-ofer-winter-enters-politics-six-seats-smotrich-out",
        "published": "2026-08-26T13:23:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Winter says he’ll only join government if Haredi conscription law is passed first",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/winter-says-hell-only-join-government-if-haredi-conscription-law-is",
        "published": "2026-09-02T20:02:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}