Gantz Withdraws Blue and White From Knesset Race, Citing Need for Unity

Benny Gantz, chairman of the Blue and White party, announced on Monday evening that his party will not run in the upcoming Knesset elections, citing a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility. "Unfortunately, I did not succeed in convincing enough of the people, the responsibility is mine," Gantz stated in a televised address. He expressed his continued conviction in his party's path, emphasizing the paramount need for a Zionist unity government that transcends blocs as the sole solution to Israel's current challenges, dangers, and opportunities. Gantz affirmed that his decision was not a surrender of his principles, reiterating his deep belief in what initially motivated him to enter politics. He drew parallels to his nearly 50 years of service to the state as a soldier, stating he has never abandoned a battle and will not turn his back on the fight for unity.

This decision comes just days before the elections. Recent polls, as reported by Kan News, indicated that Blue and White would not pass the electoral threshold. The polls showed Gadi Eisenkot's bloc with 53 mandates and Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc with 51.