Opposition Leaders Praise Benny Gantz's Decision to Withdraw from Knesset Race
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, withdrew from the upcoming Knesset election race on Monday, citing the need for unity to prevent disaster. Opposition leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan, praised his "correct" and "responsible" decision. Gantz's withdrawal follows internal party pressures and criticism of potential government formations. He had previously served as defense minister and alternate prime minister.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Benny Gantz withdrew from the Knesset 26 election race, citing the need for unity.
- Opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan praised Gantz's "correct" and "responsible" decision.
- Gantz's withdrawal followed significant internal pressure and poor polling for his party.
- Yoaz Hendel urged "third bloc" voters to join his party, calling Gantz's move "necessary."
- Gantz denied allegations of coordinating his withdrawal with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Knesset 26th election race on Monday. The move has prompted a wave of reactions from opposition leaders, many of whom praised his decision as "correct" and "responsible."
Gantz stated ahead of a special press conference that he would "continue to fight for unity," calling it the "only solution to prevent further disaster and protect Israel from all challenges, both internal and external." His departure comes after several senior party members left and amid significant pressure, reportedly due to consistent polling indicating the party would not pass the electoral threshold.
Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists and Economists party, thanked Gantz for his service and called his decision "proper and necessary for the country." He urged voters from the "third bloc" to join his party, asserting it is the "only way to establish a Zionist government."
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar" party and a former colleague of Gantz, also commended the decision, calling it "correct and responsible" for the "fateful elections since the establishment of the state." Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, echoed these sentiments, stating that "shared responsibility is to ensure the victory of the change bloc."
Reports suggest Gantz's withdrawal follows recent sharp criticisms he leveled against former partners, including Avigdor Lieberman and Gadi Eisenkot, whom he accused of promoting moves to form a government reliant on Arab parties. Some in the political system viewed these attacks as an attempt by Gantz to retaliate against those pressuring him to withdraw. Gantz's associates have vehemently denied allegations of coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, clarifying that his statements were a warning against forming a "dangerous government" and not an act of revenge.
Gantz entered politics in December 2018, founding the "Hosen L'Yisrael" party. He later formed the "Blue and White" list with Yair Lapid, served as alternate prime minister and defense minister, and led the "National Camp." He joined the emergency government after the October 7th massacre but departed in June 2024.
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