Jüdische AllgemeinePolitics12:07

Benny Gantz Withdraws From Knesset Elections, Citing Need for Unity

By Sabine Brandes

Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba

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Benny Gantz, chairman of the Israeli party Blue and White, announced he is withdrawing his party from the upcoming Knesset elections, citing the need for national unity. Polls indicated his party would not pass the electoral threshold. Gantz, a former IDF chief of staff, has had a complex political history, including alliances and departures from governments led by Benjamin Netanyahu. He urged other parties facing similar electoral challenges to also consider withdrawing.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Benny Gantz announced his party, Blue and White, will not participate in the upcoming Knesset elections.
Recent polls show Blue and White failing to meet the 3.25 percent electoral threshold.
Gantz cited the need for national unity and a broad coalition government as his primary motivation.
He previously rejoined and then left Prime Minister Netanyahu's government over disagreements on the Gaza war.
Gantz, a former IDF chief of staff, was once seen as a potential successor to Netanyahu.
Calls have been made for other small parties, like Ofer Winter's Amcha Yisrael, to also withdraw.

Benny Gantz Withdraws From Knesset Elections, Citing Need for Unity — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Benny Gantz, chairman of the Israeli party Blue and White, announced on Monday his withdrawal from the upcoming Knesset elections, stating his commitment to fighting for Israel's unity. Gantz declared that his party would no longer participate in the elections, even though its name will still appear on ballots for the October 27 vote to elect the 26th Knesset. Recent polls by Kan News indicated that Blue and White failed to surpass the 3.25 percent electoral threshold, a trend consistent with previous surveys.

Gantz, a former IDF chief of staff, has a history of political alliances and departures. He joined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in 2020 to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as deputy prime minister before the coalition collapsed. Following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Gantz rejoined Netanyahu's government but left again the following year due to disagreements over the Gaza war. This period saw a significant decline in his political support, with lawmakers leaving his party.

Despite the setbacks, Gantz reiterated his belief that a broad unity government is essential for Israel's well-being, emphasizing the need to overcome political divisions. He described the current political reality as a "trap" that deepens societal rifts and hinders progress. Gantz recalled his decision to join the government after the October 7th attack as a moment of "stepping up to help carry the stretcher."

Previously considered a potential successor to Netanyahu, Gantz had sought to position his party as a centrist force, advocating for a "broad Zionist government without Arab parties" to bridge the political gap. However, neither the opposition nor the current coalition embraced his proposal. Gantz accepted responsibility for failing to convince enough people of his approach, while still urging political leaders to set aside differences and form a unity government.

Following Gantz's announcement, members of Netanyahu's coalition called on other parties at risk of failing to cross the electoral threshold, such as the right-wing party Amcha Yisrael led by former IDF brigadier general Ofer Winter, to also withdraw. Meanwhile, these smaller parties have begun vying for the support of former Blue and White voters. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yashar, praised Gantz's decision as "correct and responsible," thanking him for his contributions to Israel's security.