Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter stated that Torah study is a foundational pillar of the Jewish people, asserting that the Torah protects Israel. He directly criticized ultra-Orthodox leaders MKs Yitzhak Goldknopf and Moshe Gafni, arguing that not everyone who dresses in traditional black-and-white clothing actually studies Torah. On the enlistment debate, Winter said he has worked for a decade to integrate Haredim into the IDF, including founding two Haredi companies, but blamed the military for breaching trust and failing the integration.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter, a former Givati Brigade commander and a religious Zionist figure, gave a statement Monday afternoon in which he addressed the relationship between Torah study and IDF service. Winter said that Torah study is a clear foundation of the Jewish people and that the Torah protects Israel, but he directly attacked ultra-Orthodox MKs Yitzhak Goldknopf and Moshe Gafni, saying that not everyone who wears traditional black-and-white attire actually studies Torah, and that such leaders harm true Torah learners.
On the enlistment debate, Winter said he has worked for a decade within the military to integrate Haredim, establishing a Haredi company in Givati (Company Tomer) and later another in the Paratroopers (Company Hetz). He stated that hundreds of Haredim joined the army, but the IDF failed the integration by breaking the rules they had agreed upon, thereby destroying trust. Winter expressed confidence that mass Haredi enlistment will eventually happen — but only through love and trust.
The remarks come amid ongoing coalition tensions over conscription legislation. The Zioneer previously reported on the advancement of a Basic Law equating Torah study with IDF service, and on Finance Minister Smotrich's recent call for Haredim to 'correct' course on enlistment. Winter's comments represent a rare public critique of Haredi political leadership from a prominent religious Zionist military figure.
2 developments
- DevelopingWinter accuses IDF of failing to integrate Haredim by breaking agreed rules
- DevelopingSmotrich: Gafni treats secular education more leniently than religious education
- DevelopingOfer Winter says he will not join any existing party, attacks Eisenkot in leaked recordings
- StrongIDF: All Haredim must enlist; army will not invite Rabbi Levenstein to integration talks
Source and signal
- Internal intake