'Right thing for Israeli democracy': Eisenkot challenges Netanyahu to televised debate

Jerusalem Post/Israel Election 2026"The haredim sent an MK to me and told me: 'Gadi, we are done with the alliance with Netanyahu. Come and tell us what you are offering us,'" he said.Follow us on GoogleGadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar Party, speaks to the Jerusalem Post ahead of elections in September 2026.(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)OCTOBER 5, 2026 09:42Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot challenged Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu to a televised debate during a party conference in Ramat Gan on Sunday evening, saying Netanyahu could choose the channel and format."Let him come to a debate on whatever channel he wants, in whatever format he wants," Eisenkot said. "It is the right thing for Israeli democracy."Eisenkot said he intended to pursue the proposal in the coming days. "My field campaign manager sent a letter to Netanyahu's field campaign manager and invited him to a debate," he said."He will set the rules, the place, and every day we will remind the Israeli media about it," Eisenkot continued. "I know what I bring to the table."Eisenkot also addressed his approach to the campaign, saying, "I think I have the appropriate humility."Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the United Nations in New York City, September 24, 2026. (credit: Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)"I established the Yashar party with six people one year ago. We wanted to bring an Israeli story and excellent people," he said."I look at the half-full glass, at how we fill it further and defeat Netanyahu and his bloc in three weeks," Eisenkot added."We have accomplished quite a bit," he said, adding, "We have a campaign that is good. It is not perfect, but the fact is that it has placed Yashar first in all the polls, with a gap between it and Netanyahu."Haredi parties approached Eisenkot regarding future cooperationEisenkot also said haredi (ultra-Orthodox) representatives approached him about possible future political cooperation."The haredim sent an MK to me and told me: 'Gadi, we are done with the alliance with Netanyahu. Come and tell us what you are offering us,'" he said.In response to Eisenkot's challenge, Likud campaign manager Tzvika Brot replied: "Is Gadi coming alone, or with Mansour Abbas, Tibi, and Yair Golan?"Follow us on Google