Israeli Right Wing Erupts as Minister Karhi Attacks Ofer Winter
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi sharply attacked Ofer Winter and his Amcha Yisrael Party, claiming they harm the right wing. Amcha Yisrael slammed the remarks as wild incitement.
Political tensions within the right-wing camp reached a new peak on Monday following harsh remarks by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi during an interview with Channel 14. Karhi sharply criticized Ofer Winter and his Amcha Yisrael Party, claiming they do not belong to the right-wing bloc.
Karhi Attacks Winter and Amcha Yisrael
During the broadcast, Minister Karhi addressed Winter's independent run, making it clear he does not view him as a political partner. "Winter is not passing the electoral threshold. There are no defectors with Winter. There is Winter who loses right-wing votes and casts them to the wind," Karhi stated. The minister further escalated his tone, asserting: "Winter is on Palestine's side." Although acknowledging Winter's extensive military record and contributions, Karhi argued that his party's positions do not align with right-wing ideology. He also referenced Yosef Haddad, the party's number two, dismissing past statements regarding a Palestinian state as mere electoral maneuvering.
Sharp Response from Amcha Yisrael
The Amcha Yisrael Party issued a fierce response, condemning Karhi's statements as a "wild incitement show that endangers the entire right." In an official statement, the party declared: "The severe remarks by Minister Shlomo Karhi this morning... prove once again that he and his colleagues have lost all restraint in the sickly war they are waging, uttering unimaginable lies against Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, a brave and courageous warrior, and against the members of the Amcha Yisrael list."
The party emphasized Winter's military and ideological background, noting that he paid a heavy price for his views during his IDF service and owes no proof of his right-wing credentials to Likud members. Amcha Yisrael concluded with a warning that such attacks alienate voters and damage the broader right-wing camp.
