Netanyahu says rival Gantz, a former army chief, ‘scared’ to debate him

Firing back, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls rival Benny Gantz, a former military chief of staff, “scared” and questions his ability to lead Israel.

“Gantz is scared of a debate and he knows why. Israel needs a strong leader and not a coward,” Netanyahu says in a statement. “If Gantz is scared to come to a debate against the prime minister, how will he stand up to the great challenges of the State of Israel?”

Despite Gantz turning down the debate challenge, Netanyahu again calls on his rival to debate him.

Gantz dismissed the idea earlier today, noting that Netanyahu himself has refused to debate election opponents for the past decade, and saying his latest call for a debate is an attempt to distract from his looming corruption trial, which begins March 17.