PM Netanyahu Hosted on Channel 20, Calling Blue-White Chairman to Attend Television Conflict Against Him • Gantz, meanwhile, refuses to respond to challenge: "Attempt to distract from trial"

• Benjamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantz // Photo: Oren Ben Hakon, Yossi Seliger

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Tuesday) invited Blue Ben Benny Gantz to a televised showdown on Tuesday. During his stay on Channel 20, Netanyahu said: "My son is coming to the show, stop being afraid."

Until now, Netanyahu was not interested in a confrontation with Gantz, assuming that from a media point of view it is not right for him to allow the blue-and-white chairman equal status to the prime minister. That Gantz is considered weak in the field, expectations of a blue-and-white chairman will be low and he will be declared a winner in the confrontation even if he provides a lukewarm performance.

It is unclear what led to a change in Netanyahu's position, but it can be assumed that Gantz's recurring embarrassment during television interviews was part of that. Only during the past week did a blue-and-white chairman get confused and say that the joint list would not be part of a blue-blue, and then, in another interview, confused and called news reporter Dana Weiss, "Daphne."