Benny Gantz withdraws from Israeli elections

Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Israeli elections scheduled for October 27. The decision comes eight days before the vote following months of polling that suggested his party would fail to meet the 3.25% electoral threshold required to enter the Knesset.

Gantz stated that his withdrawal is intended to promote national unity and prevent a dispersion of votes that could benefit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc. While Gantz will not personally run, the Blue and White party is expected to remain on the ballot unless all candidates decide not to participate.

Opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid, Gadi Eisenkot, and Yair Golan, have characterized the move as a “responsible decision” aimed at protecting the interests of the change bloc. Amidst this political shift, the Israel Defense Forces have been placed on high alert to ensure election security, particularly in the West Bank.