Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz Withdraws from Upcoming Elections
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Benny Gantz, chairman of the Blue and White party, announced he will not run in the upcoming elections, citing a need to fight for unity. His decision comes after weeks of low poll numbers and follows departures from his party. Gantz stated he would continue to work for Israel's security and unity, while other political figures offered their reactions to his withdrawal. The move aims to prevent further political division and potential national disaster.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz announced he will not run in the upcoming elections.
- Gantz stated his decision was to fight for unity and prevent further disaster for Israel.
- The withdrawal follows weeks of poor poll numbers for the Blue and White party.
- Gantz is not expected to publicly endorse any other candidate.
- Other political leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan, commented on Gantz's decision.
- MK Alon Schuster had previously indicated he might leave the party if polls didn't improve.
Benny Gantz, chairman of the Blue and White party, announced on Monday that he will not run in the upcoming elections, following weeks of poor poll numbers. Gantz stated his intention to continue fighting for unity, which he believes is the only solution to prevent further disaster and safeguard Israel against internal and external challenges. He convened his faction members to inform them of his decision and is not expected to publicly endorse any other candidate.
Sources close to Gantz claim that opposition leaders were not involved in his decision to withdraw and that he had planned to run until the end, but ultimately acted responsibly. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yishar, thanked Gantz for his "correct and responsible decision" in withdrawing from the "fateful elections since the establishment of the state," and praised his long-standing contribution to Israel's security.
Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, called Gantz's decision "responsible and correct," emphasizing the shared responsibility to ensure the victory of the "change bloc" in a critical time for Israel's future. He reiterated the Democrats' commitment to change and to a "Jewish, democratic, liberal, strong, and secure Israel."
Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists and Economists party, also thanked Gantz for his service and stated that Gantz "did the proper and necessary thing for the country." Hendel urged voters from the "third bloc" to join his party, asserting that the only path to a "Zionist government" is by voting for the Reservists and Economists.
This decision follows a series of departures from Blue and White in recent months. Last week, MK Alon Schuster, one of Gantz's long-time associates, informed him that he would not remain until election day unless there was a significant improvement in the polls. Gantz had previously declared his intention to run, criticizing the political maneuvering of both major blocs and arguing that his party represented unity, not division. He claimed that at least six million voters wished to vote for him and that his candidacy was crucial to "save the country" from a looming disaster caused by politicians focused on narrow interests and political division.
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