Benny Gantz Insists Blue and White Has Support Despite Poll Struggles

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz addressed his party's weak standing in recent polls during an interview with Omri Asenheim on Kan News. Despite some surveys showing the party below the electoral threshold, Gantz asserted that his party "has a public, it just doesn't know it yet." He described receiving significant encouragement from people on the street, quoting phrases like "Don't stop," "Win," and "We think like you." Gantz emphasized his vision of forming a broad Zionist unity and acknowledged the difficulty of the path ahead while stressing its necessity.

Gantz also outlined his political goal to create a "bloc of Israel," a unified political organization representing the center, which he believes is essential to prevent a narrow government reliant on Arab parties. He predicted criticism of his statements but vowed to continue persuading voters, estimating a potential demand for about 15 Knesset seats.

The interview comes amid heightened tensions with Yair Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid, who recently called Blue and White a "satellite party of Netanyahu." Gantz responded harshly, saying Lapid "has no place in public life anymore" and mocking Lapid's party. Recent polls, including one by Channel 13, show Blue and White struggling with only 2.7% support, below the electoral threshold. Opposition strength is consolidating around parties like "Yisrael" led by Gadi Eizenkot and "Together" led by Naftali Bennett.

Gantz's challenge remains translating his message of representing the "sane public" and Zionist unity into electoral success. Whether he can build the "bloc of Israel" or if Blue and White will fade from the political scene will be decided in the coming months before the elections.