Full coverage· Politics· Updated 20:46

Gantz Quits Knesset Race, Citing Party's Poor Polls

On Monday, October 19, 2026, Benny Gantz, the chairman of the National Unity party, announced his withdrawal from the 26th Knesset election race. The decision came eight days before the vote, following a campaign in which his party consistently failed to surpass the electoral threshold in public opinion polls. Gantz stated that he made the decision with a heavy heart, acknowledging his failure to convince enough voters of his suitability to lead, and expressed concern that votes for his party would be wasted.

6 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 13:51

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What happened

01Benny Gantz announced his withdrawal from the 26th Knesset election race on Monday, October 19, 2026, eight days before the vote.
02Gantz cited poor public opinion polls and the risk of his National Unity party failing to pass the electoral threshold as key reasons for his decision.
03The National Unity chairman stated he withdrew with a heavy heart because he failed to convince enough voters of his suitability to lead.
04Opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan praised Gantz's decision as correct and responsible for the future of the change bloc.
05Yoaz Hendel called Gantz's move necessary and urged voters from the third bloc to join his Reservists and Economists party.
06Gantz denied allegations that his withdrawal from the Knesset race was coordinated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
07Columnist Ben Caspit defended Gantz, highlighting his 45 years of service to Israel as Chief of Staff and Defense Minister.

In his announcement, Gantz emphasized his continued commitment to fighting for national unity, calling it the only solution to prevent further disaster and protect Israel from internal and external challenges. He described the current political reality as a trap that deepens national division. Gantz declined to endorse any specific candidate for the upcoming elections and denied allegations of coordinating his withdrawal with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Opposition leaders praised Gantz's decision as correct and responsible. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, and Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party, both commended the move, with Golan stating that the priority is ensuring the victory of the change bloc. Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists and Economists party, called the decision necessary and urged third-bloc voters to join his party. Columnist Ben Caspit also defended Gantz, praising his decades of service as Chief of Staff and Defense Minister despite past political errors.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 6 newsrooms. Updated 21:33