Benny Gantz announces Blue and White run Tuesday night

• Date: 29 December 2020
• Author: GIL HOFFMAN
• Published date: 29 December 2020
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

There had been speculation that Gantz would retire from politics after two years of political challenges that wore him down. But Gantz said he was ready to go back on the campaign trail.

Gantz said his unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended due to Netanyahu's caprices. He said he did not regret joining the government, because it prevented Netanyahu from doing whatever he wanted running the country on his own, including obtaining immunity.

"Blue and White lied down on a grenade, but as I have throughout my career, I was serving the public," he said. "I saved the State of Israel. I saved Israeli democracy."

He called for a "covenant of partnership against Netanyahu," in which the largest party would form the government.

In a veiled attack on prime ministerial candidate Gideon Sa'ar, Gantz said Blue and White would oppose closing down Tel Aviv on Shabbat, a controversial move made by Sa'ar when he was interior minister. He declined to say whether he could run together with New Hope or Yamina.

Gantz had a tough day on Tuesday. Justice Minister...