Story perspectives

Gantz Withdraws Blue and White From October 27 Election

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Benny Gantz, former defense minister, withdrew his Blue and White party from the October 27 election.
Polls kept Blue and White below the 3.25% threshold needed for Knesset seats.
Gantz said he will keep fighting for national unity, the only way to prevent disaster.
He withdrew eight days before soldiers vote and a week before the October 27 poll.
Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot called the withdrawal correct and responsible.

History

Historical Context

Israel’s 2014 decision to raise the Knesset electoral threshold to 3.25% cut twelve seats in the 2015 election, pressuring parties such as Yesh Atid. This mirrors a 2014 wave of political shifts worldwide, exemplified by the U.S. midterms that gave Republicans Senate gains and saw the North Carolina Senate race exceed $100 million in spending.

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Story summary

Benny Gantz, former defense minister, withdrew his Blue and White party from the October 27 election.
Polls kept Blue and White below the 3.25% threshold needed for Knesset seats.
Gantz said he will keep fighting for national unity, the only way to prevent disaster.
He withdrew eight days before soldiers vote and a week before the October 27 poll.
Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot called the withdrawal correct and responsible.

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