Benny Gantz withdraws from Israeli election race

Benny Gantz has dropped out of Israel's election race after failing to poll above the electoral threshold.

Former defense minister Benny Gantz has dropped out of the upcoming Israeli parliamentary election after his party consistently polled below the electoral threshold. Despite abandoning his own legislative bid, Gantz pledged to continue pushing for a unity government. His exit comes just eight days before voters head to the polls.

• The reasonThe Blue and White party consistently failed to reach the minimum voter threshold in recent polls.
• The timelineThe withdrawal was announced just eight days before the scheduled parliamentary elections.