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Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu claims win in party leadership challenge Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu comfortably wins party leadership challenge
(about 1 hour later)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed a "huge win" in a vote that challenged his leadership of the Likud party.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed a "huge win" in a vote that challenged his leadership of the Likud party.
About 49% of Likud's 116,000 eligible members voted on Thursday, party figures show. Mr Netanyahu secured took 72.5% as opposed to his rival Gideon Saar, who polled 27.5%.
Challenger Gideon Saar admitted defeat, saying he would now back Mr Netanyahu in a general election due in March. Mr Saar admitted defeat, saying he would now back Mr Netanyahu in a general election due in March.
The internal party vote was seen as a test of Mr Netanyahu's hold on power at a time of mounting difficulties.The internal party vote was seen as a test of Mr Netanyahu's hold on power at a time of mounting difficulties.
Mr Netanyahu, 70, faces trial on bribery and corruption charges, as well as a third national election within a year.Mr Netanyahu, 70, faces trial on bribery and corruption charges, as well as a third national election within a year.
Previous elections held in April and September saw Likud deadlocked with the centrist Blue and White party - with neither able to form a government.Previous elections held in April and September saw Likud deadlocked with the centrist Blue and White party - with neither able to form a government.
After polls closed at 23:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu tweeted a claim that he had won, although a result is not expected until early on Friday. "Huge victory!" Mr Netanyahu tweeted. "Thank you Likud members for the vote of confidence, support and love. God willing and with your help, I will lead the Likud to a great victory in the upcoming elections and will continue to lead the state of Israel to unprecedented achievements."
"With God and with your help, I will lead the Likud to a big victory in the upcoming elections and continue to lead the State of Israel to unprecedented achievements," he posted (in Hebrew). Mr Saar, a 53-year-old former minister in Mr Netanyahu's cabinets, conceded defeat.
Mr Saar, a 53-year-old former minister, later conceded defeat in a tweet (in Hebrew). "I am content with my decision to have stood," he tweeted. "Those who are unwilling to take a risk for what they believe in will never succeed.
"I am content with my decision to have stood. Those who are unwilling to take a risk for what they believe in will never succeed," Mr Saar wrote.
"My colleagues and I will stand behind [Netanyahu] in campaigning for the Likud's success in the general elections," he added."My colleagues and I will stand behind [Netanyahu] in campaigning for the Likud's success in the general elections," he added.
Mr Saar, a well-known figure in the party, had wanted to take Likud on a new path. Mr Saar, a well-known figure in the party, had warned that Likud would not win the forthcoming elections under Mr Netanyahu.
Earlier on Thursday, with reports of low turnout amid bad weather, Mr Netanyahu appeared on a Facebook Live broadcast appealing for members to get out and vote. Benjamin Netanyahu had been expected to win comfortably but campaigned tirelessly because he wanted the result to show his grip on the party remained strong, the BBC's Barbara Plett Usher in Jerusalem says.
He was predicted to win comfortably but campaigned tirelessly because he wanted the result to show his grip on the party remained strong, the BBC's Barbara Plett Usher in Jerusalem said. Mr Netanyahu, who is the country's longest serving leader, is facing mounting difficulties after being indicted in three corruption cases last month.
Mr Netanyahu, who is the country's longest serving leader, is facing mounting scrutiny after being indicted in three corruption cases last month.
He denies wrongdoing and claims the charges are a politically motivated "witch-hunt" against him.He denies wrongdoing and claims the charges are a politically motivated "witch-hunt" against him.
One exit poll cited by local media suggested Mr Netanyahu had won more than 70% of the vote.