Netanyahu: Feiglin group an insignificant minority
Re-elected Likud chairman tells Ynet outcome of primary elections proves rival camp has marginal impact on party. In victory speech in Tel Aviv which Feiglin was barred from attending, Netanyahu pledges new leadership for Israel
Surrounded by dozens of supporters and staffers, re-elected Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu looked like an enormous weight had been lifted from his shoulders late Tuesday night.
Though he was assured he would win the primary elections, Netanyahu spent most of his campaign warning voters against indifference during the election which would allow rival Moshe Feiglin a chance to gain strength within the party.
Ballots closed slightly after 11 pm with 37,633 (39.64%) of the 94,944 registered Likud members casting their votes.
According to the official results announced early Wednesday morning - Netanyahu won 73% of the vote.
His opponents - Jewish Leadership faction leader Moshe Feiglin and World Likud Chairman Danny Danon - received 23% and 3.5%, respectively.
Netanyahu addressing supporters (Photo: Yaron Brener)
"First I would like to thank the Likud members who took the time during their summer vacations and voted in surprising droves," said Netanyahu at the start of his victory speech at a support rally held at the Tel Aviv fairgrounds.
Despite concerns of exceptionally low voting numbers, some 40% of registered Likud voters cast their votes on Tuesday. "I see this as a vote of confidence in the Likud and in me. I appreciate it deeply and thank you all," he said.
"I want to thank my staffers, the activists, the volunteers and the Knesset members – you gave it your all and you did a wonderful job. These elections were exemplary – there were no complaints of forgeries, everything was done with the utmost integrity. I would also of course like to thank my wife Sarah, who is always by my side."
''Tonight the internal contest ended, and as of tomorrow, we will focus our efforts on bringing a new leadership to Israel,'' said Netanyahu, already positioning himself as contender for the premiership.
Speaking with Ynet after the speech, Netanyahu said he was pleased that the election results proved that Feiglin's supporters were an insignificant minority in the Likud. "The attempt to overtake the party has come to an end… the fermentation within the Likud has ended now, a year and a half ago they eulogized me and the party, but we bounced back."
Activists scuffle after Feiglin barred from victory celebrations
Meanwhile Feiglin was denied entry to the area at the fairgrounds where Netanyahu supporters were gathered for his speech.
Accompanied by a handful of supporters, Feiglin eventually left the premises after 20 minutes but those supporters who stayed later sought out Netanyahu activists and after a harsh exchange of words the situation quickly deteriorated to fisticuffs. Feiglin's supporters were eventually escorted out of the grounds.
When asked why Feiglin was denied entry, as the election winner traditionally takes the stage for his speech with his opponent by his side, Netanyahu said he had no intention of embracing Feiglin or his ilk.
Netanyahu added that he also plans to work towards neutralizing Feiglin's power within the party.
After receiving word of the election results, Feiglin said that the primaries proved that a third of the Likud wants a leader who believes in God. "I suggest to the people of Israel to remember this date. Today the revolution to bring a devout leadership to power has begun," he said.
