Ofer Winter Cancels TV Appearance Days Before 26th Knesset Elections
Three days before the 26th Knesset elections, retired Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter canceled his TV appearance, sparking right-wing debate over potential wasted votes.
Three days ahead of the 26th Knesset elections, retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, chairman of the Amcha Yisrael Party, announced on Saturday evening the cancellation of his scheduled appearance on Channel 14's talk show "HaPatriotim".
Winter was slated to appear in the studio alongside other right-wing party leaders. The announcement regarding the cancellation of Winter's participation came shortly before the broadcast, which took place this past Saturday night ahead of the opening of the ballot boxes.
According to Channel 14 reports, no official statement has yet been released by Winter's party regarding the cancellation of his appearance on the program hosted by Yinon Magal. Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists Party, is expected to appear in the studio instead.
As known, Hendel recently united with Professor Yaron Zelecha, chairman of the Economic Party, aiming to cross the electoral threshold. The politician is expected to present his positions on various political, security, and social issues in the final stretch of the election campaign. Channel 14 stated that Winter's cancellation comes amid calls within the right-wing bloc for small parties to withdraw from the race to prevent wasted votes.
Journalist Yaki Adamker, a panelist on "HaPatriotim", reacted to Winter's cancellation notice to the production team, saying: "I am just wondering to myself, the fact that the left never intended to come in the first place is certain because they are on the left... but the fact that Winter canceled his arrival right before the show - does this indicate that he too belongs to the left-wing bloc? That is food for thought."
Magal joined Adamker's remarks, stating: "If Winter does not intend to withdraw, it is good that he went to Channel 12 to bring votes from them, that is fine, let the votes come from there. That is preferable." Adamker replied, "I am not in favor."
He further added: "If we happen to be talking about Winter, this is a man who sat here on the show for over a month and promised to withdraw, and in the end, he did not withdraw. This week he has already said twice that he directly recommended Netanyahu and perhaps he should have done otherwise. I am telling the public at home, you are not stupid. Think very carefully about who you vote for so you do not regret it on Wednesday morning."
Ofer Winter is a retired Israel Defense Forces brigadier general who gained prominence as the commander of the Givati Brigade during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. In recent years, he has also emerged as a prominent public and political figure in Israel. In August 2026, Winter established the Amcha Yisrael Party ahead of the 26th Knesset elections, presenting a nationalist-right security platform and raising issues such as ultra-Orthodox conscription, national security, and the fight against crime.
