{
  "id": 15621549,
  "title": "Right 'sounds alarm' over Gantz withdrawal as Left consolidates ahead of elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/right-sounds-alarm-over-gantz-withdrawal-as-left-consolidates-ahead",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T16:06:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-912178"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli politicians from various parties reacted to the news that Blue and White leader Benny Gantz had withdrawn from the upcoming elections. Former party member and IDF deputy chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot praised Gantz for his responsible decision to withdraw from what was described as the most consequential elections since Israel's founding. Democrats Yair Golan and Yoaz Hendel of the Reservists and Economic Party similarly commended Gantz's withdrawal, urging voters to support their parties instead. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa ar urged smaller right-wing parties polling below the electoral threshold to follow Gantz's lead and withdraw, warning that votes for such parties were at risk of being wasted and potentially benefiting the left-wing bloc. Sa ar compared this to the 1992 elections, which saw the left-wing camp gain 61 seats after the loss of votes from three small right-wing parties, leading to the signing of the Oslo Accords.",
  "summary": "Gantz's withdrawal sparks warnings from Sa'ar and Smotrich over wasted right-wing votes, while left-wing leaders welcome the decision and rally ahead of the elections.",
  "key_points": [
    "Blue and White leader Benny Gantz withdraws from upcoming elections.",
    "Democrats Yair Golan and Yoaz Hendel commend Gantz's responsible decision."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "After announcing his withdrawal: Gantz's message to the Anti-Netanyahu bloc",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/after-announcing-his-withdrawal-gantzs-message-to-the-anti-netanyahu",
        "published": "2026-10-19T17:46:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}