Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a public debate ahead of the upcoming elections, after the premier’s Likud party released a video claiming he would be unable to form a government with the support of Arab parties.
Eisenkot’s Yashar has risen in the polls in recent weeks, coming close to being the largest party in the opposition bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu. In most polls, he falls not far behind former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid's Together Party, which trails the Likud.
The video published by the Likud claims that Eisenkot has no way to form a government without the Arab parties. The clip shows Arab party leaders calling for a Palestinian state, and adds that without the support of Hadash-Tal Party leader Ayman Odeh and Ra’am Party leader Mansour Abbas, there “is no Eisenkot."
In response, Eisenkot directly challenged the prime minister, saying, "Netanyahu, enough with the incitement videos... set a date and a place. Come to a public debate."
‘We'll answer the public's questions. A true leader speaks with the public," he added.
Opposition remains opposed forming coalition with Arab parties
Parties in the opposition bloc have spoken against forming a government with the Arab parties.
Eisenkot has vowed to conduct a state commission of inquiry into the government's handling of the October 7 Hamas attacks if elected.
General elections are set to take place no later than October 27.