Blue and White Withdraws From Knesset Election Race
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The Blue and White party, led by Benny Gantz, has officially withdrawn from the 26th Knesset election race, one week before voting. All candidates resigned, and the Central Elections Committee confirmed the party's removal from the ballot. Ballots for Blue and White will be marked with an 'X' and considered invalid if cast. The decision follows polls showing the party failing to pass the electoral threshold. The withdrawal raises questions about where the party's potential votes will shift.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Blue and White party, led by Benny Gantz, withdrew from the 26th Knesset election race.
- All party candidates resigned, leading to the Central Elections Committee's confirmation of withdrawal.
- Ballots for Blue and White will be marked with an 'X' and considered invalid if found.
- The withdrawal is attributed to polls indicating the party would not pass the electoral threshold.
- Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised Benny Gantz's decision as responsible.
Just one week before election day, the Blue and White party, led by Benny Gantz, formally withdrew its list from the 26th Knesset election race. All candidates on the list signed their resignations, prompting the Central Elections Committee to announce that the party will not compete. The committee stated that since all candidates for "Blue and White led by Benny Gantz" legally resigned, the list will not run. The ballot letter for the party was "YN" (Yes). Consequently, polling station officials have been instructed not to distribute or place the party's ballots. The party's ballot will be marked with an "X" on display posters and notices. These instructions also apply to military polling stations, with necessary adjustments. The committee clarified that any Blue and White ballots found during vote counting, whether printed or handwritten, will be considered invalid. This applies to votes already cast at Israeli missions abroad and within the IDF. Gantz met with the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Solberg, to thank him for his work in ensuring election integrity. Following the withdrawal, Gantz stated, "With a heavy heart, and out of responsibility, I have decided to remove my candidacy for the 26th Knesset. Unfortunately, at this time, I have not succeeded in convincing enough of the public of our path, and the responsibility is mine." The decision comes amid polls indicating Blue and White was unlikely to pass the electoral threshold. Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, praised Gantz's "correct and responsible decision to withdraw from the crucial election." The main question now is where the mandates expected for Blue and White in the polls will go. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett commented on Gantz's withdrawal, calling him a "good man" who always prioritized Israel's welfare. The withdrawal also impacts the military voting process, which began this week with over 850 polling stations across the country. Blue and White ballots will also be marked with an "X" at these military polling stations.
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