Benny Gantz Withdraws from Election Race, Citing Heavy Heart
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Benny Gantz, Chairman of Blue and White, announced Monday his withdrawal from the election race, citing his inability to convince enough voters and taking personal responsibility. The decision follows polls showing his party failing to pass the electoral threshold. Gantz stated he would continue working towards a unity government. His withdrawal has increased pressure on other right-wing parties to consolidate their vote to prevent a left-wing victory.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Benny Gantz withdrew from the election race, citing his failure to gain sufficient public support.
- Gantz's decision comes amid polls indicating his Blue and White party would not pass the electoral threshold.
- The withdrawal has intensified pressure on smaller right-wing parties to unite and avoid wasting votes.
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged parties like Ofer Winter's "Am Israel" to withdraw.
- Gantz stated he would continue working towards forming a unity government for Israel.
Benny Gantz, Chairman of Blue and White and former IDF Chief of Staff and Defense Minister, announced Monday afternoon that he is withdrawing his candidacy from the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. Gantz stated he was stepping down with a heavy heart and out of responsibility, admitting he had not succeeded in convincing enough people and that the responsibility was his. The dramatic decision comes amid recent polls indicating his party would not pass the electoral threshold.
Gantz informed his faction members of his decision shortly before the public announcement, according to journalist Michael Shemesh. Gantz pledged to continue striving for unity, which he believes is the only solution to prevent further disaster and safeguard Israel against internal and external challenges. His office stated he would focus efforts on forming a unity government for the benefit of the state.
Sources close to Gantz claim his decision was not influenced by bloc leaders and that he had planned to run until the end, but ultimately acted responsibly. He is not expected to publicly endorse another candidate. The withdrawal has intensified pressure on other right-wing parties, particularly Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" list, which also faces challenges in passing the electoral threshold.
The Religious Zionism party commented that Gantz's withdrawal was an act of responsibility to prevent votes from going to the left bloc, which they claim is now well-organized. They criticized right-wing parties, including Winter's, for irresponsibly risking a "left-wing government with supporters of terror" by failing to unite and potentially wasting votes.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed these sentiments, urging smaller right-wing parties to withdraw. He argued that Gantz's move was to bolster the left, which he sees as now unified. Smotrich specifically called on Winter and other parties with no chance of passing the threshold to withdraw, emphasizing the stakes for Israel's future, Jewish identity, and security.
Likud Minister Karai also urged right-wing parties to unite, stating he would respect Winter if he withdrew. Minister Gideon Sa'ar also called for right-wing parties to withdraw from the race, without naming specific parties.
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