Everything in Israeli politics moves at the speed of light, but the rise and potential fall of the Blue and White party is something else entirely. It started as the "Great Hope" of the center, a powerhouse of generals meant to take down Benjamin Netanyahu. Now? Honestly, it's fighting just to stay relevant as we head into the 2026 election cycle.
If you've been following the headlines this week, you probably saw Benny Gantz making some waves. He told Channel 12 on January 14, 2026, that leaving the government back in June 2024 was a "mistake." Why? Because it left "extremists" in charge. It's a classic Gantz move—admitting a tactical error while trying to position himself as the only adult in the room. But the polls are being pretty brutal right now. Some recent data from Midgam and Filber shows the party hovering dangerously close to—or even below—the electoral threshold.
The Generals Who Thought They Could Change Everything
Blue and White wasn't always just one party. Back in 2019, it was a massive alliance. It was basically a "who's who" of the Israeli security establishment. You had Benny Gantz, Gabi Ashkenazi, and Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon—all former IDF Chiefs of Staff. Toss in Yair Lapid and his Yesh Atid party, and you had a juggernaut.
They were the "Blue and White forces," named after the colors of the flag, signaling they were the "true" Israelis.
The vibe was "anyone but Bibi." It worked, sort of. In April 2019, they tied with Likud at 35 seats. But in Israel, winning the most seats doesn't mean you're Prime Minister; it's all about who can build a coalition. Gantz couldn't. Netanyahu couldn't either. So, the country went to elections again. And again.
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Then came the 2020 split. This is the moment many voters still haven't forgiven. Gantz decided to join a "rotation" government with Netanyahu, citing the COVID-19 emergency. Lapid and Ya'alon walked away, calling it a betrayal. The "Blue and White" name stayed with Gantz, but the magic was definitely dampened.
What Blue and White Actually Stands For (Kinda)
People often ask what the party actually believes in besides "not being Likud." It’s complicated. They call themselves centrist and liberal Zionist.
- Security First: Because of the military background, they talk a lot about "separation" from Palestinians rather than a full-fledged two-state solution. They want the Jordan Valley to remain Israel's eastern border.
- Religion and State: They generally support civil unions and public transport on Shabbat in secular areas, but they’ve been known to soft-pedal these to keep the door open for Ultra-Orthodox partners.
- The Judiciary: This is a big one. They've positioned themselves as the primary defenders of the Supreme Court against the government's overhaul attempts.
From National Unity Back to Blue and White
Fast forward to the last year or so. For a while, the party was part of a larger umbrella called "National Unity" (HaMachane HaMamlakhti). This included Gideon Sa'ar and Gadi Eisenkot. But that alliance started cracking too. Sa'ar left first in March 2024. Then, in July 2025, Eisenkot and Matan Kahana resigned, citing a lack of internal democratic reforms—specifically, Gantz's refusal to hold open primaries.
On July 7, 2025, the Knesset House Committee officially approved changing the faction name back to Blue and White-National Unity, but Gantz has basically reverted to the original Blue and White branding for his own core group.
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He’s trying to find a middle path in a country that feels increasingly polarized. On one hand, he’s talking about an "anybody but extremists" coalition. In a speech last month, he even suggested he might be open to joining forces with Netanyahu again in 2026—if it meant pushing out the far-right elements like Itamar Ben Gvir.
Why the 2026 Election is Make-or-Break
The problem for Blue and White is that the "center" is getting crowded. Naftali Bennett is back in the mix. Gadi Eisenkot is looking to form his own thing. Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid is still the dominant opposition force.
When you look at the numbers, the math is grim. A Maariv poll from early January 2026 suggests that while the "anti-extremist" bloc could theoretically hit 59 or 60 seats, Blue and White specifically is bleeding supporters to these newer, shinier options.
People are tired.
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There's a sense that Gantz’s "national responsibility" often looks like political indecision. He joined Netanyahu in 2020. He joined the war cabinet in 2023. He left in 2024. Now he says leaving was a mistake. For a voter looking for a clear, ideological home, that’s a tough sell.
Real-World Impact: Does It Still Matter?
Even with low polling, you shouldn't count them out. Blue and White still holds key positions in the current discourse. Gantz is still viewed by many international partners—especially in Washington—as a "stabilizing" figure.
If the 2026 election results in another deadlock (which, let's be honest, is very likely), Gantz might once again find himself as the "kingmaker." He’s the guy who can talk to the Haredim, the soft-right, and the center-left.
Actionable Steps for Following the Situation
If you're trying to make sense of the shifting "Blue and White forces" as we approach the next vote, here is how to stay informed without getting lost in the noise:
- Watch the Primary Data: Gantz has promised internal leadership primaries. If these actually happen in early 2026, it will be a huge indicator of whether the party can modernize or if it remains a one-man show.
- Track the "Extremist" Rhetoric: Pay attention to how often Gantz uses the phrase "anybody but extremists" versus "anybody but Bibi." This shift in language tells you exactly who he’s planning to sit with in a future government.
- Monitor the Threshold: In Israeli elections, the threshold is 3.25%. If Blue and White continues to poll at 2% or less, expect a "merger of desperation" with another centrist party before the filing deadline.
- Security Updates: Since the party’s brand is built on security, any major shift in the North or in Gaza will directly impact their numbers. When things feel dangerous, voters often move back toward the "Generals."
Israeli politics is a game of survival. Blue and White has survived several "near-death" experiences already. Whether they can do it one more time in 2026 depends entirely on whether Gantz can convince the public that his brand of "stately" centrism is still a viable alternative to the more aggressive camps on either side.