Eisenkot Challenges Netanyahu to Televised Debate Ahead of Elections

Ahead of Israel's National Remembrance Day for the October 7th massacre, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar!" party, has formally invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a televised debate. Eisenkot stated the debate is "a demand to give full answers to the public, without spin and lies." The invitation, sent by Eisenkot, a retired Lieutenant General, calls for a direct, public debate to be broadcast live across all Israeli media channels.

Eisenkot emphasized the critical juncture Israel faces with upcoming elections in 23 days, describing them as the most fateful in the nation's history and a crossroads for its security and future. He noted that on October 27th, three years after the "severe failure" of October 7th, the greatest disaster in Israel's history, the Israeli people will choose their leader.

Eisenkot criticized the Prime Minister for refusing to establish an inquiry commission and withholding full protocols, which he believes erodes public trust in state institutions and risks further disaster. He asserted that a leader seeking to govern has a duty to provide complete, direct, and honest answers to voters, especially after the heavy price paid by the nation.

Eisenkot proposed that both sides commit to a balanced, fair, and respectful debate, as befits the Israeli people. Specific conditions include a framework for substantive answers, broadcast by all Israeli media, debate moderators chosen by news channel editors, and debate rules, time allocation, and question formats to be determined by the selected moderators and campaign representatives. Eisenkot stated his readiness for the debate immediately, pending agreement on these terms, and offered to meet to finalize the details.