Makor RishonPolitics12:53

Benny Gantz Quits Election Race, Cites Need for Unity

By שיר ששון

Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba

RightCharged tone

Hebrew · 20 newsrooms covering

Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, announced he is withdrawing his party from the upcoming Knesset elections, stating he will continue to fight for a unity government. His decision came after his party failed to gain significant traction in opinion polls. Political figures from across the spectrum reacted, with some praising his decision and others using it to criticize their opponents and urge voters to consolidate their choices.

The story in 7 lines · by baba

Benny Gantz announced he is withdrawing the National Unity Party from the upcoming Knesset elections.
Gantz stated he will continue to fight for a unity government to prevent disaster.
His party had not been rising in opinion polls above the electoral threshold.
The Chairman of the National Unity Party praised Gantz's decision as correct and responsible.
Bezalel Smotrich criticized other right-wing parties and urged voters to consolidate.
The "Am Ech Yisrael" party claimed Gantz's withdrawal highlights their importance.
Yaakov Asher called Gantz a "mensch" and wished him success.

Benny Gantz Quits Election Race, Cites Need for Unity — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party and former IDF Chief of Staff and Defense Minister, announced on Monday that he is withdrawing his party from the upcoming Knesset elections. Gantz stated that he will not run in the upcoming elections but will continue to "fight for unity," which he believes is the "only solution to prevent another disaster and keep Israel safe from all challenges, both internal and external."

A statement from Gantz's office indicated he would hold a press conference to elaborate on his decision. He plans to continue focusing his efforts on forming a unity government for the benefit of Israel.

Political reactions to Gantz's announcement were swift. The Chairman of the National Unity Party, chairman of the National Unity Party, thanked Gantz for his "correct and responsible decision" to withdraw from the "fateful elections since the establishment of the state," acknowledging his "longstanding contribution to Israel's security."

Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism Party, attributed Gantz's withdrawal to a desire to prevent votes from going to the left. Smotrich criticized right-wing parties, including one led by Ofer, for not approaching the electoral threshold and "throwing votes away," potentially risking a "left-wing government with supporters of terror." He urged the public not to vote for parties that are not certain to pass the threshold, warning that lost right-wing votes could lead to a left-wing government.

The "Am Ech Yisrael" party thanked Gantz for his service and stated that his withdrawal highlights the importance of their own party, positioning themselves as the sole option for those desiring a right-wing government not dependent on the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism.

United Torah Judaism chairman Yaakov Asher described Gantz as a "mensch" and a man who has contributed greatly to Israel's security, wishing him success and expressing confidence in his future contributions. Asher noted that despite political differences, they maintained a respectful personal relationship.