Benny Gantz says he will not run in Israel’s Oct. 27 election, ending Blue and White’s bid eight days before the vote

Benny Gantz has withdrawn from Israel’s Oct. 27 election, ending his Blue and White party’s bid eight days before voters go to the polls. The former army chief and defense minister said he would continue fighting for unity, which he called “the only solution that will prevent another disaster.”

Polls had consistently placed Blue and White at around 1%, far below the 3.25% threshold required to enter the Knesset. Opposition figures, including Gadi Eisenkot, had urged Gantz to withdraw to avoid wasting votes opposing Netanyahu.

The decision reverses Gantz’s Oct. 10 pledge to stay in the race “to the end.” He is due to make a fuller statement on Monday evening.