Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu wins in Likud party leadership primary election

Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has secured a landside victory in his ruling Likud party’s leadership primary election by gaining about 72 percent of the votes, official results revealed on Friday.

Netanyahu’s rival Gideon Sa’ar, a former Education Minister, garnered only 28 percent of the ballots cast on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency.

The result will enable Netanyahu to lead Likud into the national elections on March 2, 2020, and also gives him another opportunity to form a coalition government after failing in two previous attempts this year.

“Great victory!” Netanyahu wrote on Twitter earlier after an exit poll put him on course for about 70 percent of the vote.

“With the help of God and with your help, I will lead the Likud for a great victory in the elections and will continue to lead Israel to great achievements,” he added. In a tweet, Sa’ar congratulated Netanyahu and said he would support him in the national elections. “I am absolutely comfortable with my decision to run,” he said. “Whoever isn’t ready to take a risk for the path he believes in will never win.” (IANS)

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