Gantz Withdraws from Elections, Citing Need for Unity
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Benny Gantz, chairman of Blue and White, announced his withdrawal from the upcoming elections just a week before voting, citing the need for unity to prevent disaster and protect Israel. This decision reverses his previous commitment to run to the end. Gadi Eisenkot, who had previously split from Gantz, praised the move as responsible. Gantz's political career has been marked by several alliances and a recent decline in poll numbers, leading to his withdrawal to avoid electoral failure.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Benny Gantz announced he is withdrawing from the upcoming elections, citing the need for unity.
- Gantz's withdrawal comes just one week before Israelis head to the polls.
- He previously stated he would run to the end and fight for unity.
- Gadi Eisenkot, who left Gantz's party, called the decision correct and responsible.
- Gantz's poll numbers had fallen below the electoral threshold in recent weeks.
- He aimed to prevent vote-splitting and electoral failure.
Benny Gantz, chairman of the Blue and White party and former IDF Chief of Staff and Defense Minister, announced a dramatic withdrawal from the upcoming elections just one week before voting. Gantz stated, "I will not run in the upcoming elections, I will continue to fight for unity. This is the only solution that will prevent another disaster and protect Israel against all challenges from within and without." This decision comes only nine days after Gantz had declared he would "run to the end," asserting, "I have decided not to surrender to our enemies, and to fight our enemies I must fight for unity among us, and therefore I am running to the end."
Gantz addressed claims of vote-splitting, stating, "I do not belong to any bloc. Anyone who claims I am wasting votes is lying and afraid, whoever votes for me votes for unity, not for blocs." He further asserted that according to his data, "there are at least six mandates who want to vote for us. To you I say: You are not alone. Vote, and we will save the country."
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yishai Party, who had previously left Gantz to run independently, thanked Gantz for his "correct and responsible decision to withdraw from the fateful elections since the establishment of the state." Eisenkot acknowledged Gantz's "longstanding contribution to Israel's security" and expressed confidence that he would "continue to contribute to Israeli society going forward."
The article details Gantz's political trajectory, noting his leadership of the opposition bloc since 2019 through three inconclusive election cycles. He later formed a unity government with Netanyahu during the COVID-19 crisis, becoming alternate prime minister, but the agreement was not honored, leading to the Knesset's dissolution. Gantz subsequently ran with different partners, including Hendel, Hauser, Eisenkot, and Saar. Following the October 7th events, his poll numbers surged to around 40 seats but gradually declined. Gideon Saar left and rejoined the government, while Eisenkot departed Gantz's faction in the summer with Matan Kahana, causing Gantz's support to fall below the electoral threshold. Despite running a full campaign with minimal support, Gantz ultimately withdrew a week before the polls to avoid a significant electoral failure.
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