JDN

Netanyahu mocks an invitation from Bennett to pre-election debate on COVID policy

Naftali Bennett visits in the ultra orthodox Jewish town of Elad. September 06, 2020. Photo by FLASH90 *** Local Caption *** àìòã áðè

Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett on Thursday invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a live, one-on-one debate ahead of next month’s Knesset elections.

Bennett, a critic of the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, said he was inviting the premier to an “open debate” where they would each present their plan to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.

Netanyahu quickly dismissed the offer, mocking Bennett for only polling 10 Knesset seats in surveys and saying: “He should debate Gideon,” a reference to New Hope party leader Gideon Sa’ar.