Blue and White leader Benny Gantz quits Israel’s election eight days before vote as polls put party below threshold

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz withdrew from Israel’s October 27 election on Monday, eight days before voting, after months of polls showed his party failing to cross the threshold for entering the Knesset.

“I will not run in the upcoming election. I will continue fighting for unity,” Gantz said. “It is the only solution that will prevent another disaster and protect Israel against all challenges, at home and abroad.”

The former defense minister and IDF chief of staff had campaigned for a broad national unity government bringing together parties from across Israel’s political spectrum.

His withdrawal follows persistent polling showing Blue and White below Israel’s 3.25% electoral threshold. Recent surveys have put the party at around 2% or lower.

Gantz had told The Times of Israel in September that he would leave the race during the final week if polling showed Blue and White would fail to enter the Knesset, saying he would not allow his supporters’ votes to be wasted.

The decision marks a reversal from his public insistence only days ago that he intended to continue running. Opposition leaders had been pressuring Gantz to withdraw, arguing that votes for a party below the threshold could weaken the broader anti-Netanyahu bloc.

Gantz said he would continue working toward the formation of a national unity government despite leaving the parliamentary race.