Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to rally support yesterday as he faced a leadership challenge from within his own Likud party.

Mr Netanyahu (70) is up against Gideon Saar, an ambitious former minister who says the premier is no longer capable of winning elections after a series of disappointing results and a corruption investigation.

Likud members were voting for their leader yesterday. Mr Netanyahu was expected to come out on top, but his authority could be weakened if he fails to win decisively.

The victor will lead Likud into Israel’s third general election in 12 months on March 2.

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Mr Netanyahu has failed in two elections this year to win enough seats to pull together a majority coalition in the proportionally elected parliament.

But he told supporters on Facebook yesterday: “A big victory for me… will ensure a huge victory in the Knesset [parliament] elections.”

He accused Mr Saar (53) of organising a coup. Mr Saar, who has support from a handful of Likud backbenchers, is seen as slightly to the right of Mr Netanyahu and has called for an even more hawkish policy towards the Palestinians.

Recent polling suggests Mr Netanyahu, who has been in power for a decade and retains support among Israel’s sizeable ultra-Orthodox Jewish population, remains the most popular candidate to lead Likud despite being plagued by a raft of corruption charges.

Last month, he was indicted for fraud, bribery and breach of trust in three cases. He has claimed he is the victim of a “witch hunt”.

Polls also indicate that Likud under Mr Saar would likely win fewer seats, but might be more able to form a viable right-wing coalition.

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