Bibi: I'll cleanse Likud of criminality
Newly elected Likud Party Chairman Netanyahu says at party’s Tel Aviv headquarters, ’I’m returning to this office after six years. I hope to start here a journey that will end with the Likud in power
Newly elected Likud Party Chairman, Knesset Member Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking party headquarters in Tel Aviv, said: "I am returning to this office after six years. I hope to start here a journey that will end with the Likud in power."
He added: "I plan to clean the Likud of negative and criminal elements.”
Netanyahu was received at the Likud headquarters by supporters with flowers. The new Likud chairman said he wanted to deal with urgent matters, such as assessing the standing of remaining Likud ministers, and ensuring they do not jump ship into Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Kadima party.
Netanyahu will also seek to return his 'people' to the top leadership level within the party, placing the roles of current Likud officials in doubt.
Upon leaving the hospital after being treated for a mild stroke, the prime minister telephoned Netanyahu and congratulated him on his victory in the Likud primaries. Sharon thanked Netanyahu for wishing him well.
According to the vote count, Netanyahu took 44.4 percent of the ballots, while Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom received 33 percent of the vote. Moshe Feiglin took 12.4 percent, while Yisrael Katz ended up with 8.7 percent. The total percentage of voter participation was 44.6 percent.
'We will move forward together'
On Monday night, Netanyahu was received by Likud supporters chanting "Bibi king of Israel."
"I came to tell you, thank you, and let me also thank Sara (Netanyahu's wife), who supported me along the way," said Netanyahu.
The new Likud chairman sent warm greetings to Sharon, saying: "I'm sure that I'm expressing your feelings and those of all Israelis."
Later, he tried to instill a battle spirit within Likud members. "Likud governments have served Israel with excellent leadership. They gave us security, peace, and prosperity, and today the country needs this more than ever.
“We will move forward together, and I mean all of us; the entire excellent team on this stage. I mean everyone, including Silvan Shalom," he said.
Ilan Marciano contributed to the report
