Gantz Says Blue and White Will Cross Electoral Threshold

Benny Gantz said Blue and White will cross Israel's 3.25% electoral threshold and dismissed a question about withdrawing if polls continue to place it below the cutoff as irrelevant. Speaking at a national-security conference, the party chairman said hundreds of thousands identify with its message and described himself as determined, not insistent, to run. Gantz confirmed that he met reserve Brig. Gen. Dedi Simchi on Monday and said he remains open to political alliances while continuing to lead Blue and White. He also said the public should decide the next prime minister and called for Benjamin Netanyahu to leave office.