In Israel, Ofer Winter announces party candidate list
In Israel, Ofer Winter, chairman of the People of Israel party, announced the full list of 18 candidates from his political force to take part in the 2026 elections. The decision closed off the possibility of a potential merger between Winter’s party and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism, The Jerusalem Post reports.
Separate participation in the elections
Winter said that the party was founded only two weeks ago, but has already become a notable participant in the country’s political life. According to him, People of Israel represents different segments of the population and advocates right-wing policies and decisive action in the military sphere.
One of Winter’s party’s goals is to involve ultra-Orthodox Jews in service in the Israel Defense Forces. He stressed that the party will seek this without compromises.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Reaction from Smotrich’s party
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the publication, encouraged political forces in the right-wing camp to unite in order not to lose votes due to failing to pass the electoral threshold. Religious Zionism said that Smotrich had considered including new politicians on his list, but delayed the decision, leaving places for a potential merger with Winter’s party.
Smotrich’s party called Winter’s decision to run separately an irresponsible risk to preserving the power of right-wing forces in Israel. According to The Jerusalem Post, polls give People of Israel four to five seats in the Knesset. The publication also named Winter, Yoseph Haddad, Netali Shem-Tov, Eran Ben-Ari, and Fleur Hassan-Nahoum among the candidates.
