Eisenkot Challenges Netanyahu to Televised Debate Ahead of Elections

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael! party, has formally invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a televised debate less than a month before the upcoming elections. Eisenkot announced his challenge at a party event in Ramat Gan on Sunday, stating his willingness to participate on any channel and in any format Netanyahu chooses, calling it a "step for Israeli democracy."

Eisenkot emphasized that the invitation was not merely a statement, as his campaign manager had sent a letter to Netanyahu's campaign manager formally extending the challenge. He further offered Netanyahu the prerogative to set the debate's terms, including the rules and location, stating, "He will set the rules, the place, and every day we will remind the Israeli media of this."

The invitation, sent ahead of Israel's Memorial Day for the victims of the October 7th massacre, urged Netanyahu to provide "full, direct, and honest answers to the voters" given the heavy price the nation has paid. Eisenkot expressed his party's goal to "defeat Netanyahu and his bloc in three weeks."

Eisenkot also referenced recent polls, claiming that Yisrael! is currently in first place, ahead of the Likud party. He further alleged that a Haredi Knesset member approached him on behalf of elements within that sector, stating their alliance with Netanyahu was over and inquiring about Eisenkot's proposals.

This is not the first time Eisenkot has called for a public debate with Netanyahu.