Blue and White’s Benny Gantz pulls out of race, sealing precipitous political fall

Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White party, announced on Monday that he would step away from the upcoming Knesset election just over a week before the vote took place on October 27. This decision came as Gantz's party continued to struggle, failing to cross the electoral threshold in recent polling surveys. In his announcement, Gantz emphasized his commitment to unity, stating that "It is the only solution that will prevent another disaster and protect Israel against all challenges, at home and abroad." He is set to provide further details in a press conference later that evening.

Blue and White's withdrawal from the race follows a series of departures by lawmakers who now belong to the Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot was once Gantz's second-in-command in the military and a high-ranking official in the previously united National Unity party bloc. The Blue and White party had been distancing themselves from the opposition bloc aiming to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Gantz had previously advocated for a broad Zionist government, expressing willingness to collaborate with Netanyahu. The party launched a fresh campaign last week under the slogan "Choose unity, save the country," attempting to draw in voters who did not align with either of the two major political factions.

Gantz addressed his party's declining poll numbers in an interview with Yinon Magal and Ben Caspit on 103FM radio, asserting that he did not require anyone's permission to stay in the race. He affirmed his democratic right and duty to convey his message to the voters. Party leaders in the opposition bloc had urged Gantz to withdraw in order to minimize the risk of wasting votes if his party did not surpass the electoral threshold.

Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot praised Gantz's "correct and responsible decision" to withdraw, expressing his confidence that Gantz would continue contributing to Israeli society in the future. Democrats' head Yair Golan and former deputy chief of staff Yoaz Hendel also commended Gantz's decision, stressing the necessity for a strong, secure, and democratic Israel.