One day before the launch: Ofer Winter takes fire within the right-wing bloc

The choice to hold the launch event specifically at the Shalva Center is not accidental. Winter has a years-long connection with the place, and when he was an officer, he used to bring his soldiers to the center to meet the organization's staff and learn about its activities. Behind the decision also lies a value-based concept: since it is an event attended by hundreds of people and not a regular press conference, a large hall was required. Instead of renting another hall, it was decided to hold the event at Shalva, thereby also contributing to the community and the organization's activities.

Publicly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a video in which he warned against a split in the right-wing bloc. "We cannot leave the remnants of parties. Do not waste your vote on small parties that might not pass the electoral threshold and bring the left to power," said Netanyahu - a message perceived in the political system as a clear hint also at Winter's new party, alongside other parties competing for right-wing votes.

However, in recent days, criticism of Winter has also been heard in briefings by senior coalition officials. In closed conversations, sources in the bloc claim that Winter's move could end in a scenario similar to what happened in 2013, when Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid joined forces to form a government without the ultra-Orthodox.

According to those sources, Winter may create a political block after the elections with Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett, with the aim of positioning himself as a key player and demanding the defense portfolio. It is further claimed that such a result could lead to the establishment of a government that will struggle to promote the right-wing agenda.

The attack is not accidental from the perspective of the electoral map either. In polls where Winter receives support, he is to some extent eating into the strength of the Religious Zionism party. Therefore, the political system is trying to paint the new party as more moderate on the issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription, and even claim that Winter is close to ultra-Orthodox rabbis who do not support the conscription of those whose Torah is their profession.

On the other hand, the message that Winter is expected to bring tomorrow at the launch is completely different. His people are expected to present him as someone who seeks to make a change within the right-wing camp, against the backdrop of disgust with the political situation since October 7 and the government's conduct in recent years. The central message will be that the existing political map is failing to provide an answer to a broad public of right-wing voters looking for an alternative.

In his party, they emphasize that this is not a sectoral party and that its political direction is clear: the establishment of a right-wing government. This is in contrast to other parties that talk about a unity government or a broad government that also includes elements from the center. From Winter's perspective, the goal is to offer a new player who will remain within the right-wing bloc and try to change its composition.

Among the names expected to be part of the project are Yoseph Haddad, an advocacy activist from the Arab society; Lali Deri, who lost her son Saadia in the Iron Swords war; and television presenter Neta Lee Shem Tov.

Behind the scenes is also Kobi Eliraz, as we reported this week. Eliraz, who previously served as an advisor to the Minister of Defense and Ministers of Defense Moshe Ya'alon, Avigdor Lieberman, and Benjamin Netanyahu, is involved in Winter's project and may join the list later on.

Thus, even before the new party has officially set out on its path, it is clear that its battle will not be only for new votes - but also for votes within the existing right-wing bloc.