Netanyahu expected to hold on to Likud leadership in internal vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a challenge for leadership of his conservative Likud party on Thursday, reports BBC News.

Long-term rival Gideon Saar is opposing Netanyahu in internal party elections. Netanyahu now faces trial on bribery and corruption charges, and Saar says the longtime leader won't be able to lead Likud to victory in March elections because he failed to win enough seats to form a government in two elections since April.

Netanyahu is expected to hold on to the leadership position he has held for 14 years. In a moment of drama on Wednesday night, Netanyahu was rushed off stage at a campaign rally in the southern city of Ashkelon after an air raid siren sounded due to rocket fire from Gaza, reports CNN.

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Read more at BBC News and CNN.