Netanyahu Warns of Right-Wing Vote Split After Gantz Exits Knesset Race

By אפרת ברינר

Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba

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Hebrew · 4 newsrooms covering

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Benny Gantz's withdrawal from the Knesset race could lead to a split in right-wing votes, potentially costing the bloc the election. He urged small right-wing parties to unite to prevent a left-wing government, citing a possible coalition led by Gadi Eisenkot. This comes after Gantz removed his party from the election due to low poll numbers, while one party leader, Ofer Winter, rejected calls to withdraw his candidacy.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a potential right-wing election loss due to vote splitting after Benny Gantz withdrew.
Netanyahu fears a government led by Gadi Eisenkot with Arab parties and Yair Golan if the right-wing bloc loses.
Benny Gantz removed his Blue and White party from the Knesset election due to failing to pass the electoral threshold in polls.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi urged Ofer Winter to withdraw his party.
Ofer Winter rejected calls to withdraw, stating Gantz's exit highlights the need for more right-wing options.

Netanyahu Warns of Right-Wing Vote Split After Gantz Exits Knesset Race — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern on Monday over the potential loss of tens of thousands of right-wing votes following Benny Gantz's withdrawal from the Knesset race. Speaking in an interview, Netanyahu warned that if smaller right-wing parties fail to cross the electoral threshold, their votes could be wasted, potentially leading to the victory of the left-wing bloc.

Netanyahu urged the leaders of these smaller parties to act responsibly and prevent a scenario where the right-wing bloc loses the election. He specifically cautioned against a potential government led by Gadi Eisenkot, in coalition with Arab parties and Yair Golan, describing such an outcome as a "disaster" for Israel.

The Prime Minister's remarks came after Gantz announced his decision to remove his Blue and White party from the upcoming Knesset election, citing its consistent failure to pass the electoral threshold in recent polls. This move, occurring eight days before the election, was reportedly influenced by pressure from those opposing Netanyahu, who feared Gantz's candidacy would siphon votes and hinder the formation of an anti-Netanyahu government.

Following Gantz's departure, increased pressure was placed on other small right-wing parties, notably the Am Israel party led by Ofer Winter. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi called on Winter to follow Gantz's example and withdraw his candidacy to ensure right-wing votes translate into Knesset seats.

However, Winter rejected these calls, with his party arguing that Gantz's decision highlighted the need for an additional political framework on the right and stating their intention to continue their electoral bid. The concern over vote wastage stems from Israel's electoral system, where parties failing to reach the 3.25% threshold do not receive Knesset seats, a factor that can significantly impact close election outcomes.