Gantz Withdraws from Israeli Elections Eight Days Before Scheduled Date

Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White party and former Chief of Staff and minister, announced his withdrawal from the general Israeli elections scheduled for October 27, eight days before they are to be held.

Gantz's announcement came at a time when his party is facing opinion polls indicating difficulty in surpassing the threshold required to enter the Knesset. Gantz had previously indicated the possibility of withdrawing if polls showed his party would not be able to pass the electoral barrier, which is what he has now done.

In his statement, Gantz stressed that he will continue his political struggle to achieve national unity, defending the necessity of forming a broad national unity government that brings together different streams to confront the internal and external challenges facing Israel.