Hours before the national memorial day marking the October 7 massacre, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Gadi Eisenkot issued a formal challenge to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this evening, inviting him to a televised debate and demanding he "provide full answers to the public, without spin and lies."
"This letter constitutes a formal invitation to Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on behalf of Yisrael Beytenu chairman Major General (res.) Gadi Eisenkot, to hold a direct and public debate between them, to be broadcast live on all Israeli media channels," the letter stated. "In 23 days, Israel will hold its most fateful elections, at a critical crossroads for the security and future of the State of Israel. On October 27, three years after the severe failure of October 7, the worst and greatest disaster in Israel's history, the people of Israel will choose a leader."
Eisenkot noted that "the prime minister refuses to establish a commission of inquiry and refuses to release the full protocols, in a manner that harms public trust in state institutions and endangers Israel with another disaster. By virtue of the duty of a person seeking to lead, to provide full, direct and honest answers to the voters. On the eve of the memorial day for the October 7 massacre, after the heavy prices the people of Israel have paid, it is proper that they receive clear and complete answers, without spin and lies."
He further specified that "as is customary in democratic countries, both sides will commit to holding a balanced, fair and respectful debate, as befits the people of Israel: 1. A format will be established that allows substantive and comprehensive answers, and will enable all media outlets in Israel to broadcast it. 2. The debate moderators will be journalists chosen by the editors of the news channels. 3. The rules of the debate and discussion, time allocation, question format and more, will be determined between the chosen moderators and representatives of the candidates' staffs."
"Subject to the above rules, we are prepared for a debate immediately," Eisenkot concluded. "I would be happy to coordinate a meeting to continue discussion and coordination of details for holding the debate as soon as possible."
