Gantz Criticizes New Political Alliance

Gantz released a campaign video calling for a bloc that represents all of Israel. He stated that Bennett and Lapid were focusing on internal leadership battles rather than forming a broad Zionist government.

Criticism of the Alliance "Unfortunately, the alliance between Bennett and Lapid this week harms the ability to replace this bad government," Gantz stated, according to @Jerusalem_Post. He added that the two were entrenched in internal bloc battles and focusing on who will lead, instead of where to lead.

Gantz stated this approach comes instead of appealing to right-wing voters, Likud supporters, and members of the religious Zionist community who are seeking a new political home. He expressed respect for both Bennett and Lapid but said each had chosen what serves them personally rather than the country.

stated that only the Blue and White Party can guarantee no extremist government or a narrow minority government relying on Arab parties that collapses during security challenges. Recent polls show the Blue and White Party failing to clear the electoral threshold.

Gantz has been distanced from the opposition bloc and has indicated he would not object to teaming up with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, Bennett and Lapid have called on Yashar! Party leader Gadi Eisenkot to join their alliance, but Eisenkot has not accepted and instead urged opposition leaders to convene a coordination meeting to secure a Zionist majority.

was excluded from an invitation to meet with opposition leaders, which included Bennett and Lapid, along with MK Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beytenu party and the Democrats Party led by Yair Golan. Reports indicate a potential merger between Gantz’s party and the Reservists Party led by former communications minister Yoaz Hendel.

The Blue and White Party has faced setbacks with multiple members of the Knesset leaving over the past year, including Gadi Eisenkot, who served as Gantz’s second-in-command. Gantz has served in two unity governments under Netanyahu and briefly joined Netanyahu’s government at the start of the Israel-Hamas war before returning to opposition in June 2024.