Benny Gantz drops out of Israel's election race

Gantz, a former army chief and defence minister who leads the Blue and White party, announced on Monday that he will not run in the Oct 27 election.

Vote share needed to enter the Knesset

3.25 %

Polls had consistently shown his party below the 3.25 per cent threshold needed to enter the 120-seat Knesset, Israel's parliament.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and its far-right coalition are in a tight race with an opposition alliance, and polls show neither side on track for a majority.

Israel

Israelis vote on Oct 27, and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot called Gantz's decision “correct” and “responsible”.