Benny Gantz pulls out of Israeli election race days before vote
Opposition leader Benny Gantz announced he will not run in the upcoming Israeli parliamentary election.
Benny Gantz, head of the centrist Blue-White alliance, declared his exit from the race for Israel's parliamentary election scheduled for 27 October. The decision follows recent polling suggesting the alliance may fail to cross the electoral threshold, prompting a wave of defections from its ranks. Gantz, a former defence minister, again called for a national unity government that would bring together major parties supporting and opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu.
His rival, ex-military chief Gadi Eisenkot, has rejected the idea of a coalition spanning the political spectrum. Analysts note that neither Netanjahu's bloc nor the opposition is likely to secure an outright majority in the upcoming vote.
Why it matters
Gantz's withdrawal could reshape the balance of power in Israel's tightly contested election.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Netanyahu urges fragmented right-wing parties to merge ahead of October election
- Sep 24 The electoral commission has acted on two Arab party lists.
- Sep 24 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN General Assembly that the international community must accelerate the US-backed Gaza peace plan and prevent a repeat of the 1948 displacement.
- Sep 24 The United States denied visas to Abbas and other Palestinian officials for a second consecutive year, forcing a video address to the UN.
- Sep 27 Netanyahu publicly urged right‑wing parties to merge ahead of the election.
- Oct 2 The Central Elections Committee voted 18-5 to bar the United Arab List and the Joint List from the ballot.
- Oct 2 Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew his candidacy following the court's indication it may approve a disqualification petition.
- Oct 6 The United Nations Secretary‑General called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
- Oct 6 Opposition leaders met to outline a coordinated electoral strategy.
- Oct 6 Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a heightened state of readiness for Israeli forces in Gaza and warned of severe retaliation if troops are harmed.
- Oct 7 President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal lit a memorial candle at the President’s Residence at 6:29 a.m., opening the October 7 remembrance ceremony.
- Oct 7 Israel placed its security forces at maximum readiness on the anniversary, citing possible new Hamas attacks.
- Oct 7 Families of victims rallied across Israel demanding an inquiry into the October 7 response.
- Oct 7 A civilian‑led memorial ceremony was held at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv.
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