Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 11, 2021
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Bennett invites Netanyahu to debate on COVID policy; PM dismisses offer
Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett invites Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a live, one-on-one debate ahead of next month’s Knesset elections.
Bennett, a right-wing critic of the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, says he’s inviting the premier to an “open debate” where they will each present their plan to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.
Netanyahu quickly dismisses the offer, mocking Bennett for only polling around 10 Knesset seats in surveys and saying: “He should debate Gideon,” a reference to New Hope party leader Gideon Sa’ar.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, speaks with Defense Minister Naftali Bennett during a meeting in the Knesset with the heads of right-wing parties, March 4, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
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