Israel Compass
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Center

Blue and White

In opposition
Withdrawn from the race

Blue and White has withdrawn from the race: all its candidates have stepped down. Its ballot slips will not be in the voting booth, and a Blue and White slip put in the ballot box will be counted as invalid. It no longer appears in the test results.

Blue and White, led by former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, stands for a pragmatic, security-focused center. It is firm on military matters but avoids ideological extremes. On Iran, it supports a mixed approach (military, economic and diplomatic). It is cautiously open to a solution with the Palestinians, but deliberately vague about it.

From 2022 to 2025, Blue and White led the National Unity alliance with New Hope and independent politicians. After they left, it went back to its own name.

On institutions, Blue and White presents itself as a governing alternative "without extremists." It explicitly rules out Ben Gvir. It supports a measured judicial reform rather than a full overhaul, and wants to limit the prime minister to two terms.

On Haredi society, Blue and White has a non-negotiable red line: fair conscription.

Heads the listBenny Gantz
Polls0
Current seats6/120
Founded2022
כן
BEFORE YOU VOTE

What list כן stands for

On securityDetails Ready to strike IranBlue and White wants Israel to stay ready to strike Iran and keep its freedom of action in Lebanon.
In short

Blue and White combines military, economic and diplomatic options against Iran. Benny Gantz sees the agreement between the United States and Iran as a strategic failure.

What Blue and White proposes
  • Prepare to strike Iran, in coordination with the United States.
  • Keep the army's freedom of action in Lebanon.
  • In Gaza, administration by Arab countries, with Israeli security control.
Sources3
On the judiciaryDetails Reform by consensusBlue and White wants to limit intervention in government decisions, but through broad agreement.Independent commission of inquiry?Yes: appointed by the Supreme Court
In short

Blue and White believes judges have too much power and that the limits on it are unclear. Yet Blue and White rejects an imposed by the majority alone. Blue and White also wants an independent state commission of inquiry into October 7.

What Blue and White proposes
  • Limit the Court's intervention in government decisions.
  • A reform of the state prosecution, without a total overhaul of the justice system.
  • No override clause passed without broad agreement.
Sources3
On institutionsDetails A fair draft lawFor Blue and White, there will be no government with the Haredi parties without a fair law.
In short

Blue and White also wants to limit the prime minister to two terms and raise the .

What Blue and White proposes
  • A fair law, as a condition for governing with the Haredi parties.
  • Limit the prime minister to two terms.
  • Raise the electoral threshold.
Sources3
On religionDetails For civil unionsBlue and White wants to let couples marry in Israel outside the religious framework.
In short

As acting justice minister in 2021, Benny Gantz proposed a civil union law. These positions date back several years.

What Blue and White proposes
  • A civil union law.
  • Register in Israel couples married abroad.
Sources2
On the territoriesDetails No Palestinian stateBlue and White opposes a for security reasons.
In short

Blue and White has hardened its position since October 7. Blue and White wants to keep the settlements and strengthen those in the Jordan Valley, without annexation.

What Blue and White proposes
  • No .
  • Strengthen the settlements in the Jordan Valley, along the seam line and in the southern Hebron Hills.
  • Enforce building laws on the whole population.
Sources3
Documented positions, topic by topic

Positions

✓ For

Israel should be able to launch a preemptive strike against a country or group that threatens it, even without the support of its allies.

Blue and White insists that Israel retain its freedom of action and not depend on others for its security; Benny Gantz has called for readiness to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. Blue and White also places importance on good coordination with the United States, hence a value slightly below the maximum.

Israel's next gov't should be comprised of Zionist parties from across political aisle, Gantz says (Jerusalem Post) · Jun 14, 2026 · source ↗

Faced with Iran’s nuclear program, which approach should Israel favor?

Its position: A military action against Iran’s nuclear sites

Blue and White regards the agreement framework between the United States and Iran as “a missed strategic opportunity” and calls for preparations to act, including militarily. Benny Gantz does not rule out diplomacy, hence a value between military action and negotiation under threat.

Israel's next gov't should be comprised of Zionist parties from across political aisle, Gantz says (Jerusalem Post) · Jun 14, 2026 · source ↗
✕ Against

Israel should apply the death penalty to people convicted of deadly attacks.

Blue and White voted against the law on the death penalty for terrorists in the final vote on March 30, 2026. No statement by Benny Gantz explaining this vote was found.

Death Penalty for Terrorists Law (Wikipédia) · Mar 30, 2026 · source ↗

Polls

seats / 120
  • N12Midgam · Oct 19below the threshold
  • N13Oct 19below the threshold
  • MaarivLazar Research · Oct 160
  • Kan 11Kantar · Oct 4below the threshold

Updated October 23

Candidate list

Sources : Fourchette calculée à partir de 4 instituts entre le 4 et le 19 octobre 2026. Maariv/Lazar Research le place à 0 sièges. N12/Midgam, N13 et Kan 11/Kantar le placent sous le seuil électoral. Le détail complet par institut est disponible dans l'encart sondages de la fiche.

Compare Blue and White with another party
Withdrawn from the race

Blue and White has withdrawn from the race: all its candidates have stepped down. Its ballot slips will not be in the voting booth, and a Blue and White slip put in the ballot box will be counted as invalid. It no longer appears in the test results.

The party's ideology

Blue and White, led by former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, stands for a pragmatic, security-focused center. It is firm on military matters but avoids ideological extremes. On Iran, it supports a mixed approach (military, economic and diplomatic). It is cautiously open to a solution with the Palestinians, but deliberately vague about it.

From 2022 to 2025, Blue and White led the National Unity alliance with New Hope and independent politicians. After they left, it went back to its own name.

On institutions, Blue and White presents itself as a governing alternative "without extremists." It explicitly rules out Ben Gvir. It supports a measured judicial reform rather than a full overhaul, and wants to limit the prime minister to two terms.

On Haredi society, Blue and White has a non-negotiable red line: fair conscription.

Before you vote

What you need to know about this party’s positions before voting

Voting for Kahol Lavan means supporting a pragmatic security stance toward Iran, a position that distinguishes Gantz from maximalist security blocs, even though he himself resigned from the war cabinet in June 2024 over disagreements with Netanyahu's management of the conflict.

On security

  • The party adopts a mixed approach toward Iran, combining military, economic and diplomatic options, rather than a purely offensive stance.

On diplomacy

  • Gantz now opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state on security grounds (op-ed dated September 24, 2025) and considers anyone who speaks of withdrawals to be “disconnected from the security reality” (May 2025). The “two-entity” solution he spoke of in 2022 is no longer being promoted.

On judicial and social issues

  • Equitable conscription of Haredim is set as a non-negotiable red line.
  • The party advocates measured judicial reform (reform of the prosecution service, without a complete overhaul of the judiciary), an intermediate position between supporters of far-reaching reform and defenders of current judicial independence.

On institutional issues

  • Gantz proposes limiting the prime minister's tenure to two terms.
  • He also supports raising the electoral threshold.

On representation

  • The party positions itself as the linchpin of a future “Zionist government without extremists,” explicitly excluding Ben Gvir.
  • Merger discussions with Gilad Erdan's Unity party failed in early September 2026 (announcement on September 4).

Key positions

Israel-Palestinian Conflict

Blue and White rejects the creation of a Palestinian state: according to Benny Gantz, those who speak of it are “disconnected from the security reality”.

Security & National Defense

Blue and White voted against the law on the for terrorists in the final vote on March 30, 2026. No statement by Benny Gantz explaining this vote was found.

Democracy & Institutions

Blue and White supports a appointed under current law, without intervention by political officials in its composition.

Israel’s Jewish & Democratic Identity

Blue and White rejects a government that would depend on the current Arab parties and campaigns “without Ben Gvir and without Ra'am”. Benny Gantz served in a government with Ra'am in 2021 but now rejects this principle; on October 12, 2026, he portrays an alliance with the Arab parties as a “fine” that his rivals would have to pay.

Education

Blue and White demands public education with core subjects for all and explains that the Haredi parties cannot enter the government because they refuse this condition.

Territories & Settlements

Blue and White's 2019 platform calls for strengthening settlement blocs; Benny Gantz advocates security control in Judea and Samaria/the West Bank. No recent statement calls for the expansion of all settlements, hence a medium value.

History

Kahol Lavan, the party of Benny Gantz, former IDF Chief of Staff, formed the National Unity alliance in August 2022 with Gideon Sa'ar's New Hope and independents Gadi Eisenkot and Matan Kahana.

New Hope left the alliance in March 2024, followed by Eisenkot and Kahana in July 2025; the Knesset faction then reverted to the name Kahol Lavan on July 2, 2025.

It participated in several governing coalitions, including the war cabinet formed after October 7, 2023, which it left in June 2024.

Merger discussions with the Unity party of Gilad Erdan, former Israeli ambassador to the UN and the United States, failed. Erdan withdrew his list from the race on September 4, 2026, and Gantz's party submitted its own list.

On October 10, 2026, Benny Gantz announced that the list would remain in the race “until the end,” without belonging to any bloc.

Current platform

  • The party adopts a mixed approach toward Iran, combining military, economic and diplomatic options.
  • It opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state on security grounds (op-ed dated September 24, 2025); in 2022, it spoke of a “two-entity” solution.
  • It sets a red line on an equitable Haredi conscription law.
  • It proposes a measured judicial reform: reform of the prosecution service, without a complete overhaul of the judiciary.
  • It proposes limiting the prime minister's tenure to two terms (bill submitted in December 2024).
  • It proposes a structural reform of education, with matriculation exams starting in 11th grade.
  • The party aims to form a Zionist government “without extremists,” explicitly excluding Ben Gvir.

Promises and record

Gantz resigned from the war cabinet in June 2024 over disagreements with Netanyahu's management of the conflict. As acting minister of justice, he personally initiated the registration in Israel of marriages performed abroad.

Candidate list (12)

7 women5 men

Documented positions

Security & National Defense3 positions

Israel should be able to launch a preemptive strike against a country or group that threatens it, even without the support of its allies.

Blue and White insists that Israel retain its freedom of action and not depend on others for its security; Benny Gantz has called for readiness to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. Blue and White also places importance on good coordination with the United States, hence a value slightly below the maximum.

Source :Israel's next gov't should be comprised of Zionist parties from across political aisle, Gantz says (Jerusalem Post)· 2026-06-14

Israel should apply the death penalty to people convicted of deadly attacks.

Blue and White voted against the law on the death penalty for terrorists in the final vote on March 30, 2026. No statement by Benny Gantz explaining this vote was found.

Source :Death Penalty for Terrorists Law (Wikipédia)· 2026-03-30

Israel-Palestinian Conflict3 positions

Who should govern Gaza in the long term?

Blue and White wants Israel to retain full security control of Gaza, without reestablishing settlements there. Regarding civilian administration, no recent statement was found; the choice of a transitional international and Arab administration is inferred from Benny Gantz's past positions.

Source :Gantz at Makor Rishon settlement conference (Jerusalem Post)· 2025-05-06

Israel should accept the creation of a Palestinian state as part of a peace agreement.

Blue and White rejects the creation of a Palestinian state: according to Benny Gantz, those who speak of it are “disconnected from the security reality”.

Source :Gantz at Makor Rishon settlement conference (Jerusalem Post)· 2025-05-06

To reach an agreement with the Palestinians, Israel should be ready to give up part of Judea and Samaria/West Bank.

Blue and White opposes withdrawals: Benny Gantz states that talking about withdrawal is “disconnected from the security reality” and that Israel must retain security control in Judea and Samaria/the West Bank.

Source :Gantz at Makor Rishon settlement conference (Jerusalem Post)· 2025-05-06

Territories & Settlements2 positions

Existing settlements in Judea and Samaria/West Bank should be able to expand.

Blue and White's 2019 platform calls for strengthening settlement blocs; Benny Gantz advocates security control in Judea and Samaria/the West Bank. No recent statement calls for the expansion of all settlements, hence a medium value.

Source :Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) Party (Jewish Virtual Library)· 2019-03-01

On which part of Judea and Samaria/West Bank should Israel apply its sovereignty?

In January 2020, Benny Gantz promised to apply sovereignty over the Jordan Valley “in coordination with the international community”. Blue and White currently rejects any withdrawal but has not recently stated a position on sovereignty.

Source :Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) Party (Jewish Virtual Library)· 2020-01-01

Military Service & Haredi Society1 position

What should Israel do about military service for yeshiva students?

Blue and White advocates “service for all”: according to Benny Gantz, every 18-year-old must perform military or civilian service. Benny Gantz specifies, however, that he wants frameworks that preserve Haredi identity and is targeting first those who do not study full-time, hence a value slightly below the maximum.

Source :Gantz, Golan slam reported Bismuth plan for interim resolution on Haredi draft (Times of Israel)· 2025-09-01

Religion & State3 positions

Public transport should operate on Shabbat where local residents want it.

Blue and White's 2019 platform allows municipalities that wish to do so to operate limited public transportation on Shabbat. No recent statement was found.

Source :Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) Party (Jewish Virtual Library)· 2019-03-01

Democracy & Institutions2 positions

The October 7 inquiry should be entrusted to a state commission of inquiry, whose members are appointed by the president, rather than to a commission whose members are chosen by the .

Blue and White supports a state commission of inquiry appointed under current law, without intervention by political officials in its composition.

Source :State inquiry or 'national' panel? How Israel's parties want Oct. 7 investigated (Ynet)· 2026-10-04

Should the Supreme Court be able to strike down a law passed by the Knesset?

Inferred position: Blue and White wants judicial reform by consensus within the framework of a constitution and opposed the 2023 reform, which Benny Gantz considered dangerous to democracy. No statement on the precise rules for striking down laws was found.

Source :Gantz blasts opposition bloc strategy (Ynet)· 2025-09-19

Israel’s Jewish & Democratic Identity2 positions

What should be done with the 2018 “Nation-State” law?

Blue and White lists the Nation-State Law among the issues to be addressed; its 2019 platform calls for amending it to make equality a constitutional principle, without repealing it.

Source :Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) Party (Jewish Virtual Library)· 2019-03-01

An Arab party should be able to be part of a governing .

Blue and White rejects a government that would depend on the current Arab parties and campaigns “without Ben Gvir and without Ra'am”. Benny Gantz served in a government with Ra'am in 2021 but now rejects this principle; on October 12, 2026, he portrays an alliance with the Arab parties as a “fine” that his rivals would have to pay.

Source :Ynet, conférence « Le peuple de l'État »· 2026-10-12

Economy, Welfare & Public Services1 position

What would be the best way to lower prices in Israel?

In 2019, Benny Gantz promised to act against monopolies to reduce the cost of living, without specifying measures. No recent statement by Blue and White on prices was found.

Source :Blue and White's grey economic platform (Globes)· 2019-02-25

Individual Rights & Society1 position

Israel should create a civil union open to same-sex couples, with the same rights as married couples.

Blue and White's 2019 platform provides for a law allowing civil unions and surrogacy for LGBT families. No recent statement was found.

Source :Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) Party (Jewish Virtual Library)· 2019-03-01

Foreign Policy1 position

Israel should gradually reduce the military aid it receives from the United States, to have more freedom in its choices.

Blue and White wants Israel to reduce its “unnecessary dependence” on external support and make its security decisions on its own, while rebuilding effective cooperation with the United States. Blue and White does not explicitly speak of reducing American military aid.

Source :Gantz: Post-Oct. 7, Israel's future depends on a broad, moderate, Zionist government (Jerusalem Post, tribune)· 2026-09-26

Government & Political System1 position

The time a Prime Minister can stay in power should be limited by law, for example to eight years.

Blue and White cites term limits among the reforms that the 2021 government did not implement; limiting the Prime Minister's time in power has been among Benny Gantz's positions since 2019.

Source :Gantz blasts opposition bloc strategy (Ynet)· 2025-09-19

Education1 position

What next?

Compare this party with anotherTake the test5 minutes to see which party you are closest to
Sources : Fourchette calculée à partir de 4 instituts entre le 4 et le 19 octobre 2026. Maariv/Lazar Research le place à 0 sièges. N12/Midgam, N13 et Kan 11/Kantar le placent sous le seuil électoral. Le détail complet par institut est disponible dans l'encart sondages de la fiche.

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