Gantz will continue campaign despite polling below threshold

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 11, 2026

Benny Gantz's Blue and White party officially launched its election campaign with a focus on unity, aiming to attract voters dissatisfied with Israel’s main political blocs despite current polling showing they may not pass the electoral threshold. Gantz warns that deepening political divisions threaten the country's stability and insists on continuing his bid as a centrist alternative to prevent further fragmentation and security risks.

Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party officially launched a new campaign on Saturday ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections, despite polling data suggesting the party is struggling to cross the electoral threshold. The campaign, led by the slogan “Choose unity, save the country,” aims to attract voters who feel disconnected from the country's major political blocs.

Gantz expressed concern over the current political climate, warning that the country is heading toward “disaster.” He criticized politicians from both sides for opposing his calls for unity, suggesting that their pursuit of a decisive victory serves their own interests but risks deepening divisions within Israel. He warned this polarization could result in fragile governments and increased security threats.

“I have decided not to surrender to our enemies,” Gantz said in a recent interview. “To fight our enemies, I must fight for unity among us, and that is why I am staying in the race until the end.” He stressed that his political stance does not align with either established bloc and rejected claims that his continued candidacy would waste votes. According to Gantz, at least six Knesset seats’ worth of voters are seeking an alternative to the dominant political camps.

He urged these voters, telling them, “You are not alone. Vote, and we will save the country.”

Gantz also addressed his party’s poor polling numbers during a radio interview last week, stating he did not require validation from others to remain a candidate. “I conduct polls involving tens of thousands of people, and I know what to do,” he said. He emphasized that his confidence in crossing the threshold is rooted in this polling and his connection to the electorate.

“I have been below the electoral threshold before and ended up with eight seats,” Gantz said. He added that if promoting what he believes Israel truly needs is considered a form of political humiliation, he is prepared to “humiliate” himself for that cause.

Despite the unfavorable polling, the Blue and White party appears committed to contesting the upcoming election, positioning itself as a unifying alternative amid a fractious political landscape.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.