Benny Gantz
Benjamin "Benny" Gantz is an Israeli politician and retired army general. He served as a minister without portfolio from 2023 to 2024, as the minister of defense between 2020 and 2022, and as deputy prime minister between 2021 and 2022. From 2020 to 2021, he was the alternate prime minister.
Standing...
Stories...
Sep 22, 2026
Lean Left
Gantz remains the centrist alternative in most polling and has faced pressure to quit the emergency government over its handling of the hostage file.
Labor and Meretz voters view him as the most likely next prime minister but worry he will rebuild a national-unity coalition that keeps the far right's policy legacy intact.
Sep 22, 2026
Far Left
Gantz remains in the war cabinet and is being pressured by the US to moderate the government's stance on Gaza.
Hadash views Gantz as a fig leaf for the far-right, and his military background does not absolve him of complicity in war crimes.
Sep 20, 2026
Lean Left
Gantz is positioning himself as a potential alternative PM while staying in the war cabinet and avoiding a break with Netanyahu.
Labor/Meretz distrusts his center-right instincts and fears he would perpetuate the occupation without real change.
Sep 20, 2026
Far Left
Gantz has been positioning himself as a moderate alternative to Netanyahu, attending war cabinet meetings and calling for early elections.
Hadash views Gantz as a fig leaf for the same right-wing policies, offering no real change on occupation or social justice.
Sep 19, 2026
Lean Left
Gantz's National Unity remains in the war cabinet and continues to be criticized for not leaving the coalition.
Labor and Meretz voters see him as the great disappointment of the anti-Netanyahu camp for staying inside the government while the far right sets policy.
Sep 19, 2026
Far Left
Gantz remains in the war cabinet and is seen as a potential alternative to Netanyahu.
Hadash distrusts his military-first approach and his failure to condemn far-right ministers, viewing him as a continuation of the same policies.
Sep 18, 2026
Lean Left
Gantz's National Unity party is polling strongly but he has ruled out sitting with Netanyahu, yet also avoids explicit left-wing alliances.
Labor/Meretz view him as a potential partner but distrust his center-right inclinations and past cooperation with Netanyahu.
Sep 18, 2026
Far Left
Gantz is considering joining a unity government with Netanyahu, despite his previous criticism.
Hadash sees Gantz as an opportunist who would sell out democratic principles for a seat at the table.
Sep 16, 2026
Lean Left
The National Unity leader and former war cabinet member is positioning himself as a centrist alternative to Netanyahu while avoiding clear breaks with the government's Gaza strategy.
Labor and Meretz see Gantz as a cautious opportunist who talks about replacing Netanyahu but offers no meaningful policy difference on the occupation or the peace process.
Sep 16, 2026
Far Left
Under pressure to join Netanyahu's government as a stabilizing force amid the war and budget crisis.
Hadash sees him as representing the centrist path that normalizes the government's far-right policies and sidelines Palestinian citizens.