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Israeli Lawmaker Aims to Oust Netanyahu in Likud Primary

Associated Press

   JERUSALEM - Israel's governing Likud party was holding primaries
   Thursday, in the first serious internal challenge to Israeli Prime
   Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his more than a decade in power.

   Veteran politician Gideon Saar hopes to unseat Netanyahu, arguing that
   he would be better placed to form a government in national elections in
   March after Netanyahu failed to do so in two repeat elections this
   year.

   Despite the shadow of corruption indictments hanging over him,
   Netanyahu remains popular among Likud members and the fiercely loyal
   party, which has had only four leaders since its inception in the
   1970s, has stood firmly behind the long-serving leader. He is expected
   to defeat Saar handily and a win could strengthen his hand going into
   the next national vote.

   "For years I have been working for you for the sake of our beloved
   country. Now I am asking for your support," Netanyahu wrote on
   Facebook. "A big victory for me in the primaries will ensure a huge
   victory in the Knesset elections."

   Bump in support

   Saar, who has garnered support from a handful of Likud backbenchers,
   had seen a bump in support in the lead-up to the vote, and he could
   benefit from stormy weather that may keep turnout low. If he wins, he
   would become Likud's candidate for prime minister in the March polls.

   "We are imbued with the spirit of victory," lawmaker Yoav Kisch, Saar's
   campaign manager, told Israeli Army Radio. "This candidacy is good for
   the party and I believe can also bring the change and the hope for a
   revolution in the Likud."