19.10.2026 22:33
Eight days before the general elections to be held in Israel on October 27, a surprise development occurred in the opposition. Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz announced that he was withdrawing from the race. Gantz, whose party was predicted in polls to fall below the election threshold, explained his decision with the words, "This is the only solution that will protect Israel and prevent a new disaster." Meanwhile, polls showed that Prime Minister Netanyahu trailed his rival Gadi Eisenkot.
In Israel, opposition Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz, with 8 days until voters go to the polls, announced that he was withdrawing from the race and would not compete in the general elections to be held on October 27.
“THIS IS THE ONLY SOLUTION,” HE ANNOUNCED According to a report by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Gantz said in his statement, "I will not run in the upcoming elections. I will continue to fight for unity. This is the only solution that will protect Israel against all the threats we face both at home and abroad and prevent a new disaster."
Gantz, who is part of the bloc opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had argued last week that he would "stay in the race until the end," even though polls consistently showed his Blue and White Party below the electoral threshold.
The report also recalled that Gantz said in a statement in September that if polls indicated his party would remain below the threshold, he would withdraw in the final week of the election campaign.
Gantz is expected to hold a press conference on the matter this evening.
Benny Gantz NETANYAHU BEHIND IN POLLS More than half of those participating in polls conducted with only days left until the elections do not want to see Netanyahu as prime minister.
Accordingly, Netanyahu is trailing his opposition rival, former Chief of Staff and Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot.
In polling averages, 48 percent of Israelis vote for Eisenkot in their preference for prime minister, while the rate for Netanyahu remains at 41 percent.