Israeli elections 2026—Meet the parliament: MK Benny Gantz

Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White Party and former IDF Chief of Staff, emphasized Israel's need to confront enemies while building global alliances to become the strongest regional player. He stated, “It will stabilize the entire region. It is not only in the interest of Israel, but in the interest of the region and in the interest of the United States.” Gantz recounted joining the emergency government after the October 7, 2023 attacks, prioritizing national unity over political considerations, and serving in the War Cabinet until June 2024. He noted the War Cabinet's decision on October 11 to focus military efforts on Gaza while maintaining a defensive posture in the north. Gantz stressed the importance of preventing Iran from reviving its nuclear program and stopping Hezbollah and Hamas from rebuilding military capabilities, advocating for Israel to maintain freedom of military action against future threats.