Why you should vote for me
EXCLUSIVE: Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White chair Benny Gantz each make their case to the Israeli electorate two days before Israel goes to the polls on Tuesday
Let me complete this change
Benjamin Netanyahu
Citizens of Israel, we are at the height of historic change in the annals of the people of Israel and the State of Israel.
Last weekend, I spoke with President Trump and after a strenuous diplomatic effort, we agreed on promoting a historic defense alliance between Israel and the United States. This is another step in the historical transformation that I am leading.
For the past three decades, I have led a determined struggle against tremendous pressures, at home and abroad, to retreat to the 1967 lines that jeopardized our very existence.
I resisted the pressure of the Clinton and Obama governments, repaired the damage of the Oslo Accords and led the greatest decade in the history of the country in terms of security, political and economic.
Economic growth peaked, as did GDP, tourism and exports. Unemployment reached an all-time low. We connected the periphery to the center of the country through a network of roads and railways.
Recently, Israel was ranked as one of the 10 strongest countries in the world. This is a direct result of our determined leadership and informed policy.
We are halting Iran's entrenchment in Syria, exposed the Iranian nuclear archive, worked to achieve the annulment of the Iranian nuclear agreement and the establishment of a tough sanctions regime against Iran.
The last decade had the lowest number of Israeli casualties from terrorist activity.
Now, after decades of resisting pressure, over the last two years we have been changing the direction of Jewish and Israeli history.
No more concessions, but recognition of our existential rights and interests. First came the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, followed by the relocation of the embassy and later American recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
President Trump announced his intention to publish the deal of the century shortly after the election. In recent months, I have made extensive diplomatic efforts, and I can say that the conditions are at the next level.
As I announced, immediately after the elections, I intend to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and then apply sovereignty to further localities and other areas of security and national importance in Judea and Samaria.
Now I ask for your confidence to complete this historic work and fortify the borders and security of the State of Israel forever.
A left-wing government with the Arab parties has never been closer. Anyone who wants to ensure that we continue to safeguard Israel, everyone who wants a strong right-wing government under my leadership, must only vote Likud.
Only a large Likud party will prevent a left-wing government.
An opportunity to restore the state to its citizens
Benny Gantz
Election Day, even if it is something that the current government forced on us for the second time in six months, is a day of democracy.
I ask for your trust, first and foremost because I believe in our democracy and the ability to have an impact. I believe that we need something different and that is possible. I believe that after a decade of Netanyahu, Israel needs do something different. It needs to progress.
I was not parachuted into the role I currently hold, but grew into it. I have behind me decades of security service that culminated in serving as IDF chief of staff. These years of service took me to the corridors of the Pentagon, government ministries and the Knesset, and heading the organization with the largest budget in the State of Israel.
I have come a long way from the small religious moshav near Kiryat Malachi, via the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv to establishing the only viable political alternative in a decade, which has reshaped the sectarian map in Israel.
I don't think everything here is bad. Israel is a great country to live in, but in recent years something has happened.
The rifts are deepening, the gaps are widening and basic solidarity between us is unraveling: right against left, Jews against Arabs. The social fabric is torn.
At the same time, the gaps between the poor and the rich are among the biggest in the OECD. The deficit has grown beyond the planned rate by some NIS 20 billion, as a result of irresponsible political conduct, and in the field of security the state is abandoning the people of the south, and it is Yahya Sinwar and Hamas who set the agenda.
All of these things have not occurred on their own, but because this is the direction in which our leadership has taken us. The same leadership that is now bombarding us with words and promises.
I was a soldier, fighter, commander and chief of staff. I led fighters on dangerous operations and made courageous decisions.
From 38 years of experience in uniform, I can tell you that security is not created by empty promises before elections, but by deeds.
We will restore deterrence in the south, make it a priority to stop the extortion and increase support for immigrants, the elderly, people with disabilities, residents of the social and geographical periphery.
We provide education for Israeli children from birth, build hospitals in the south and north, and advanced emergency rooms, enable transportation on Shabbat for those who desire it, without harming those who keep Shabbat. We will not permit coercion from either side.
On Tuesday, you, the citizens of Israel, have a rare opportunity to choose between two paths: an extreme government with Itamar Ben-Gvir, a follower of the racist Meir Kahane as justice minister, and Bezalel Smotrich as a cabinet member - or a secular, broad-based unity government led by the majority of the citizens of the State of Israel.
This is a crucial moment. After years of extortion and surrender to small parties that care about limited sectors of society, we will establish a government to represent the majority and take care of all Israel's citizens.
Eighty percent of the country's citizens agree on 80 percent of the issues. As such, anyone who wishes to join us based on these principles is welcome.
Citizens of Israel, I know your distress, feel your pain and intend to work 24 hours a day to make this wonderful country even better.
On Tuesday, I ask you to vote Blue and White. This is our opportunity to course correct, and give the country back to its citizens.
