Gantz Withdraws from Israeli Election Race

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report · Oct 19, 2026 · 4m · transcript

Benny Gantz has withdrawn from Israel's upcoming elections, prompting warnings from figures like Gideon Sa'ar and Bezalel Smotrich about wasted right-wing votes and potential left-wing victories. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also publicly thanked US President Donald Trump for his strong support. Meanwhile, the prospect of war with Iran is growing, alongside continued Houthi attacks in Yemen. European Jewish leaders are working to block potential EU sanctions against Israel, as antisemitic incidents in Austria remain elevated and linked to anti-Israel sentiment. Reports also detail…