The results are in: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been reelected leader of the Likud party, having crushed party rival Gideon Sa'ar in the primary elections held Thursday. Netanyahu won 72.5% of the vote, compared to 27.5% for Sa'ar. Voter turnout stood at approximately 50%.
After the ballots were counted, Sa'ar called Netanyahu to congratulate him. Netanyahu thanked him, saying, "Now we can all work together for a Likud victory in the Knesset election."
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Responding to the primary results, Netanyahu said, "We have achieved a great victory. Thank you for your faith and support."
"For the past two weeks, I've been out in the field. What people! Wonderful people, who love the country and are concerned about its future. I saw how much they appreciated my work on their behalf," the prime minister said.
"I fought for them, and they fought for me!" he added.
"They know I have given my life to ensure a major win for the Likud and the Right in the Knesset. Most of the people support the Right, and most of the people support me as prime minister. The sweeping result of the primaries was a decision about my path, our path," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu warned the activists against complacency on March 2, when Israel holds a general election, the third in less than a year. "The future is in our hands only if we go out and vote. Last night, we proved that we can win big and we'll win [the Knesset election] because of the wonderful decade we have ushered in in all areas, because of the wonderful achievements we will bring to the country in the future."
Sa'ar, meanwhile, said Thursday night that he wanted to thank his friends, his wife, and the MKs who had been with him in his campaign, as well as the volunteers who had done "holy work" in difficult weather conditions.
"The results are clear, and I am saying as clearly as possible: my friends and I support you [Netanyahu] and stand behind you for the sake of a Likud victory in the March 2 election."
"I am at peace with my decision to run," Sa'ar said.
"Anyone who isn't prepared to take a risk for a path he believes in can't win. Even now, it's clear to me that we racked up an important achievement in tough conditions, against immensely powerful forces. The Likud is our home. Let's keep working for the sake of the state of Israel and for victory in the upcoming election," the former minister added.
