Gantz Quits Knesset Race, Leaving $3 Million Debt

Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Knesset elections, a move welcomed by the "change bloc" but raising significant financial questions. Gantz's party owes the Knesset NIS 11.7 million ($3 million) in election financing advances, a sum that must now be repaid. The party had received NIS 9.7 million ($2.6 million) from the Knesset without needing a bank guarantee. It remains unclear how Gantz plans to repay the debt or if it will become a bad debt.

In addition to the financial obligation, the Central Elections Committee had already printed 11.5 million ballots for Blue and White at a cost of approximately NIS 34,500 ($9,200), which will now be discarded. The party's current slate of eight Knesset members generates NIS 900,000 ($240,000) monthly in party funding, though some members have already joined other parties, with their funding remaining with Blue and White. Several MKs, including Orit Farkash Hacohen and Hili Tropper, have moved to other factions, while Eitan Ginzburg is running with Naftali Bennett's party. Gantz himself, along with close associates Alon Schuster and Michael Biton, will leave the Knesset. All three are eligible for severance pay totaling NIS 312,000 ($83,000) each.

Gantz's decision, made just eight days before the election, surprised many, especially after he recently declared he would continue the race. He had cited a poll suggesting potential support for his party's call for a national unity government. However, recent polls indicated the party was not crossing the electoral threshold. Gantz stated he would "continue to fight for unity," calling it the only solution to prevent disaster. His team was divided, with professional staff supporting his continued candidacy, while party members feared it would lead to wasted votes for the "change bloc."

Gantz's departure marks an end to his current political roles, sparking speculation about a potential future public service position in exchange for his withdrawal. Parties in the "change bloc" have welcomed his exit, and attention is now on where his former supporters will direct their votes. Gantz's political career has seen significant shifts, including a past coalition agreement with Benjamin Netanyahu and a subsequent departure from his government during the current war. His "zigzagging" for and against Netanyahu is seen by some as having alienated voters.