Stepping out of shadow, Lapid challenges Netanyahu to debate

Speaking at Channel 12’s Influencers Conference, Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid challenges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a debate.

The leader of the center-left bloc appeared to be refraining such one-on-one battles until, largely keeping a low profile as his poll numbers have continued to rise.

Analysts have speculated that Netanyahu wants the election to be seen as a battle between him and Lapid. If Yamina chair Naftali Bennett or New Hope leader Gideon Sa’ar are seen as contenders, the premier will have a harder time boasting of his right-wing credentials while branding his opponents as “weak leftists.”

Hence Lapid’s decision until now not to make such offers. Evidently, his campaign decided that raising the party’s profile will further help it in the polls.