Story perspectives

Poll Shows 54% Support Netanyahu-Eisenkot TV Debate

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 10:44 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Kan 11 News poll found 54% support a televised debate between Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot.
The poll projected Netanyahu’s bloc at 53 seats and Eisenkot’s at 50, both below the 61-seat majority.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said his party will not sit with Netanyahu, rejecting Naftali Bennett’s cooperation suggestion.
Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen said his bloc will be net for a configuration that replaces Netanyahu.

History

Historical Context

In May 1996 Israel held its first direct prime-ministerial election, where Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu beat Shimon Peres by 29,457 votes, giving his bloc a 61-seat edge in the Knesset. The televised debates then proved decisive for coalition talks. A Kan 11 poll now shows 54 % of voters want a similar debate between Netanyahu and Yair Eisenkot, though neither bloc reaches the 61-seat threshold.

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Story summary

Kan 11 News poll found 54% support a televised debate between Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot.
The poll projected Netanyahu’s bloc at 53 seats and Eisenkot’s at 50, both below the 61-seat majority.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said his party will not sit with Netanyahu, rejecting Naftali Bennett’s cooperation suggestion.
Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen said his bloc will be net for a configuration that replaces Netanyahu.

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