The Media Line: Benny Gantz Drops Out of Israeli Elections as Blue and White Falls Short in Polls 

Benny Gantz Drops Out of Israeli Elections as Blue and White Falls Short in Polls 

By The Media Line Staff  

Former Israel Defense Forces chief Benny Gantz and Blue and White party chairman announced Monday night that his party was withdrawing from the Oct. 27 elections after polls consistently indicated it would fall short of the threshold required to enter the Knesset.  

Gantz, who chairs Blue and White, accepted responsibility for failing to attract sufficient support for the party, which had sought to promote a broad Zionist government rather than adopt a firmly pro- or anti-Netanyahu position.  

“For nearly 50 years I have been serving the state as a soldier of Israel. I have never abandoned a battle–and I will not turn my back on the battle for unity,” Gantz said at a press conference following his announcement.  

He added, “unfortunately at this time I did not succeed in convincing enough of the people of our path and the responsibility is mine.”  

Opposition parties welcomed Gantz’s decision and called on other parties polling below the electoral threshold to follow his lead and withdraw from the race.  

Gantz did not endorse another candidate or party after leaving the contest. Asked by Ynet whom he intended to support in the election, he said he had not yet made a decision.  

“I’ve joined the undecided. Everyone should look at what they believe in. This country belongs to all of us, and everyone standing at the ballot box should ask, ‘What will best serve the country?'” Gantz said.  

His withdrawal removes Blue and White from the election eight days before Israelis are scheduled to vote.  

Gantz was also questioned about whether he was considering a future run for president but did not say whether he planned to seek the position.  

“The biggest task is to get through the elections peacefully,” he replied.