Ofer Winter condition for joining government: Universal draft law passed before coalition formed

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter announced on Wednesday that his newly launched People of Israel party will not join the next government unless a universal draft law is passed before the coalition is formed. Winter stated, "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." He emphasized that "No sector is above the law." The party, which includes Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad and former Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, is open to alliances with "new and clean people" but will not merge with existing Knesset parties. Winter also affirmed his recommendation for Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister. Haddad, second on the party list, added that their agenda includes combating crime, especially in Arab society, and strengthening Arab-Israeli identity, with a demand for Winter to be defense minister and the revival of an influential Public Diplomacy Ministry.