Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, chairman of the newly launched Amcha Yisrael party, declared that his party intends to push for the integration of Haredim into the IDF regardless of opposition from Haredi political representatives.

In a video statement released following the launch of his new party, Winter thanked supporters and outlined several of the positions he intends to advance ahead of Israel's October election.

“The Haredim will be integrated into the IDF, with or without the Haredi political representatives,” Winter declared.

The statement places the Haredi draft issue squarely among the priorities of Winter's new political movement.

Winter formally launched Amcha Yisrael in Yerushalayim this week, presenting a new right-wing slate headed by himself and public-diplomacy activist Yoseph Haddad. At the party's launch, Winter had already identified increasing Haredi enlistment as one of the policies his movement intends to pursue.

The former IDF brigadier general has advocated an approach under which Haredim who are not engaged in full-time Torah learning would be enlisted, while arguing that the military should provide frameworks allowing Haredi recruits to maintain their religious way of life.

His latest formulation, however, was particularly pointed, making clear that he does not intend to condition implementation of his policy on the agreement of the existing Haredi political establishment.

Winter also used the statement to clarify his position in the broader election campaign, saying Amcha Yisrael would recommend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and no other candidate to form the next government.

He additionally reiterated several other elements of his party's platform, including opposition to a Palestinian state, support for what he described as voluntary emigration from Gaza, and a policy of seeking military “decisiveness” rather than containment.

Amcha Yisrael's entry into the race comes as the Haredi draft remains one of the central issues confronting the Olam HaTorah and a major point of contention in Israeli politics.

Winter's declaration adds another explicit political commitment to increase Haredi enlistment as the election campaign intensifies.

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