Benny Gantz Faces a Pivotal Choice Over His Political Future

The article argues that Benny Gantz, whom the writer describes as a sincere but weak political operator, is at a decisive crossroads. It says his rise with Blue and White in three election cycles was driven less by political skill and more by his image as a former IDF chief, support from media and wealthy backers, and Yair Lapid’s willingness to give him a strong platform.

Since then, the piece says, Gantz has made several politically self-destructive moves that have damaged his brand and left his public support near zero, according to steady polls. Now, the writer says, Gantz is again considering a comeback, focused on surviving the electoral threshold and proving wrong those who counted him out, even if that means abandoning his earlier innocence and principles.

One scenario under consideration is a new alliance with Yaron Zelicha and Dedi Simhi. The article says Zelicha would bring anti-establishment supporters, Simhi would bring a more authoritative, Likud-like profile, and Gantz would bring the millions still sitting in the Blue and White treasury. But the writer argues that such a patchwork list would likely collapse after the election, with Simhi drifting to Benjamin Netanyahu and Zelicha moving there even sooner.

The piece concludes that Gantz should instead drop his ego and forget any attempt to reinvent himself as a cynical, tactical politician. If a genuine, not fake, national unity party emerges, one not built on deals with Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot, Gantz could support it without demanding a top slot or a senior ministry, and in doing so prove that he still puts Israel first.