Amcha Yisrael Vows No Compromise on Military Draft Amid Political Pressures
Netali Shem Tov of the Amcha Yisrael party dismissed political pressure and alleged offers from Bezalel Smotrich, vowing to stand firm on the military draft law ahead of the upcoming elections.
The "Amcha Yisrael" party, led by Ofer Winter, remains at the center of political turmoil ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections. In an interview on the 103fm radio program "Seven Nine," Netali Shem Tov, the third candidate on the party list, addressed the mounting pressure faced by party members and the controversial military draft law, making it clear that they have no intention of backing down.
Pressure and Political Intimidation
During the conversation with Anat Davidov and Nissim Mishal, Shem Tov was asked about recent statements made by Winter, who claimed they had been targeted by ugly attacks, including harassment and private investigators. "There have been many very ugly things throughout this recent period," Shem Tov confirmed. "Red lines were crossed in my view. Pressure was exerted on my family, there were phone calls, offers, and hints." She added that the Israeli public is disgusted by such tactics and respects their steadfast alternative.
Response to Smotrich's Offer
Shem Tov also reacted to reports suggesting that Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich had offered Winter the position of defense minister in exchange for stepping down from the race. "Ofer knows these systems well," she remarked. "Whoever offers a cabinet post in a government he hasn't even formed—and cannot form without us—is confused. We did not come here for jobs, chairs, or positions, but to bring change and lead a new path."
"We came to serve those who serve, not to lend a hand to continued political maneuvering and the division of portfolios. Ofer is a man who does not surrender in battle, and he will not surrender in the future."
The Draft Law Stance
Addressing the apparent contradiction between the party's desire to join a right-wing government and its firm opposition to the ultra-Orthodox draft exemption demands, Shem Tov emphasized that the burden-sharing issue is non-negotiable. She stated that if coalition partners insist on the current draft exemptions, a serious crisis will emerge, and her faction will refuse to compromise on equality of service.
