Benny Gantz Quits Knesset Race, Citing Risk of 'Further Disaster'
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, announced his withdrawal from the Knesset race after over seven years in politics, citing polls showing his party failing to pass the electoral threshold. He recently intensified attacks on former allies, warning of a "dangerous" government reliant on Arab parties. His departure is expected to reshape the political landscape, potentially consolidating the opposition bloc while concerns about vote fragmentation persist on the right. Reactions varied, with some praising his decision as responsible and others seeing it as a strategic move.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Benny Gantz has withdrawn from the Knesset race, ending his seven-year political career.
- Gantz's decision comes amid poor polling for his party and recent sharp criticism of former allies.
- He warned of a "dangerous" government potentially reliant on Arab parties.
- His withdrawal is expected to impact the upcoming election's vote distribution.
- Political reactions ranged from praise for responsibility to accusations of strategic maneuvering.
Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, announced on Monday his withdrawal from the Knesset race, concluding over seven years in Israeli politics. The decision follows a series of resignations from his party and mounting pressure due to polls indicating his party would not pass the electoral threshold. Gantz recently intensified his criticism of former allies Avigdor Lieberman and Gadi Eisenkot, warning of a government reliant on Arab parties and calling it "dangerous."
Political analysts interpreted Gantz's attacks as an attempt to retaliate against those who pushed for his withdrawal, while opposition figures suggested coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gantz's associates dismissed these claims, asserting his warnings were genuine. Gantz entered politics in December 2018, forming the Resilience for Israel party, which later merged with Yair Lapid's party to form the centrist Blue and White alliance. He served as Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister.
Gantz joined the national emergency government after the October 7th attacks, serving in the War Cabinet alongside Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. He resigned from the government in June 2024, citing a lack of a strategic plan for the ongoing war. His departure from the Knesset race is expected to alter the political landscape, potentially reducing the risk of wasted votes in the opposition bloc. Conversely, concerns remain on the right about vote fragmentation due to smaller parties.
The Religious Zionist party welcomed Gantz's withdrawal, attributing it to his responsibility to prevent vote loss in the left-wing bloc and urging right-wing parties to consolidate. In the left-wing camp, Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, called Gantz's decision "responsible and correct," emphasizing the need for the "change bloc" to unite. Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yisrael party, thanked Gantz for his decision and contribution to Israel's security. The Am Israel party, led by Ofer Vinter, acknowledged Gantz's service but argued his withdrawal highlighted their party's importance for a decisive right-wing government.
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