Benny Gantz Withdraws From Knesset Elections Eight Days Before Vote
Benny Gantz withdrew from the October 27 Knesset elections after polling showed his Blue and White party falling below the electoral threshold.
Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, chairman of the Blue and White party, announced his withdrawal from the October 27 Knesset elections on Monday. The decision comes eight days before the vote following months of polling that consistently placed his party below the 3.25% electoral threshold, with some surveys showing support as low as 1%.
Gantz stated that his exit is intended to prevent a disaster and protect Israel from internal divisions and external threats, though he pledged to continue fighting for national unity. Because the legal deadline for removal has passed, Blue and White will remain on the ballots despite the withdrawal.
Opposition leaders, including Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot and Democrats party chairman Yair Golan, praised the move as a responsible decision that prevents the wasting of votes for the change bloc. In contrast, Religious Zionist Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich characterized the withdrawal as a strategic move to avoid wasting left-wing votes.
Gantz previously served in a national unity government and a war cabinet under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but he resigned from the emergency cabinet in June 2024, claiming Netanyahu was hindering a true victory.
