Benny Gantz

Benny Gantz is an Israeli lawmaker and current minister-without-portfolio, who currently leads the National Unity party.

He was born in Kfar Ahim, a moshav that his parents helped found. His mother was a Holocaust survivor and his father was arrested by British authorities for attempting to enter pre-state Israel.

Gantz was drafted to the IDF in 1977 and served in the 1982 Lebanon war. He also participated in Operation Solomon, a covert mission that rescued Ethiopian Jews in 1991.

After serving as the IDF's chief of staff, in 2018 Gantz announced the formation of a new political party, what would later become Blue and White. He would eventually become the country's defense minister before joining the opposition and then rejoining an emergency government due to the war against Hamas.

He earned a history degree from Tel Aviv University, a Political Science masters degree from Haifa University and a National Resource Management master’s degree from the United States National Defense University.

He and his wife, Revital, live in Rosh Ha’ayin.

Benny Gantz is reclaiming relevance in politics because Israel wants unity - opinion

Israel needs unity and renewed common purpose. Gantz is the politician who most credibly embodies that aspiration. That is why his campaign is gaining traction.

JANUARY 23, 2026|ByALON TAL

Head of Blue and White party MK Benny Gantz speaks during press conference in Tel Aviv on August 23, 2025.

Benny Gantz (Blue and White) at the Knesset in Jerusalem. December 22, 2025.

Gantz willing to make agreement with Netanyahu as 2026 elections approach - analysis

In an interview earlier, Gantz said he does not rule out sitting with Netanyahu in a unity government. “It’s time to abandon the ‘anybody but Bibi’ idea and shift to ‘anybody but extremists."

JANUARY 14, 2026|ByHERB KEINON

Benny Gantz.

Benny Gantz advances ‘no Ra’am, no Ben-Gvir’ election campaign amid weak polling

Blue and White released a series of videos described as “nightmare scenarios” that it claimed would occur if “a government controlled by extremists comes to power again.”

JANUARY 14, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV

FILE PHOTO: People walk past closed shops, following protests over a plunge in the currency's value, in the Tehran Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, December 30, 2025.

US weighing intervention in Iran, indications received by ‘Post’ show

Israel also checking if removal of Maduro will make action against Iran regime possible.

JANUARY 5, 2026|ByYONAH JEREMY BOB

Gantz calls on party heads to form new gov't, Two bodies found inside a burned-down car

Irish president calls for a UN military intervention in Gaza • Lt. Ori Gerlic killed in operational explosive accident in southern Gaza Strip • Security cabinet to meet on Tuesday

AUGUST 23, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Two bodies found inside a burned-down car.

Gantz's party fails to pass threshold, Bennett takes lead - poll

Despite Blue and White’s decline, the opposition bloc strengthened, rising to 61 Knesset seats compared to 48 for the coalition.

AUGUST 22, 2025ByMOSHE COHEN

Leader of the Blue and White Party MK Benny Gantz leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 30, 2025.

Two Israelis attacked in the Netherlands, False reports of terror cause chaos at Jerusalem shuk

Netanyahu approves Gaza City takeover • Arab-Israeli citizen returns to Israel after imprisonment in Lebanese jail • Lebanon begins disarming Palestinian factions

AUGUST 21, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

The Israeli police pointing towards the inside of a car.

Gantz not in talks to join Netanyahu gov't, Blue and White Party confirms to 'Post'

The spokesperson added that if the possibility of bringing back living hostages was on the table, “political considerations would not be made.”

AUGUST 20, 2025ByKESHET NEEV, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Leader of the National Unity Party MK Benny Gantz leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on May 26, 2025.

FM Sa'ar: Israel will revoke residence permits of Australia’s representatives to PA

Government officials have slammed Australia's decision to revoke MK Simcha Rothman's visa prior to his planned 'solidarity tour' to Australian Jewish communities.

AUGUST 18, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar speaks during a stakeout before attending a Security Council meeting at UN headquarters in New York City, U.S., August 5, 2025.

'Holocaust in Gaza': Western Wall desecrated with antisemitic graffiti

Israel Police have detained a suspect who allegedly graffitied the Western Wall complex and the Great Synagogue with an antisemitic message.

AUGUST 11, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, JOANIE MARGULIES

'There is a Holocaust in Gaza' is seen sprayed on the southern wall in Jerusalem's Old City, part of the Western Wall complex, on August 11, 2025

'Your job is to ensure Hamas does not lead you astray': Lapid slams Netanyahu for admission

The Israeli opposition criticized Netanyahu’s statements during his press conference, where he addressed details of the new IDF Gaza operation and hostage talks.

AUGUST 11, 2025ByKESHET NEEV, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Opposition head MK Yair Lapid speaks at a press conference in Jerusalem, April 20, 2025

'Professional over political': Sa'ar pushes against demands that Zamir comply with gov't on Gaza

Sa’ar wrote that IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir “is required to express his professional opinion clearly and unequivocally to the political echelon.”

AUGUST 5, 2025ByKESHET NEEV

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir

New poll shows Bennett-led opposition could oust coalition

The survey shows the current coalition receiving 49 seats, compared to 61 for the opposition bloc led by Bennett, while Gantz's Blue and White party is expected to be just above the threshold.

AUGUST 2, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, WALLA!

(L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, Opposition Leader and Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid.

After Eisenkot exodus, another lawmaker leaves Gantz's Blue and White party

MK Orit Farkash-Hacohen announced her resignation from Blue and White on Thursday, intending to join MK Gadi Eisenkot.

JULY 24, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

National Unity MK Orit Farkash-Hacohen is seen speaking with Zvika Klein (not pictured) at The Jerusalem Post's Democracy 2023 conference, on January 24, 2023.