Israel: Likud Central Committee approves leadership primary on December 26
Netanyahu set to face off with his rival Gideon Sa'ar in most serious test of his grasp over Likud in years
The Central Committee of the conservative Likud party chaired by Israel's besieged caretaker prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, approved Thursday a snap leadership primary.
Netanyahu is set to face off with his key rival Gideon Sa'ar, with the race culminating in the vote on December 26.
Sa'ar is a former interior minister holding some sway with the Likud voters, whose challenge to Netanyahu comes as perhaps the most serious test for PM's long-time grasp over Likud in years.
Previous reports suggested that a snap leadership vote would be had in case of a third election, which is now set to be held on March 2 as the lawmakers failed to find the next leader to try forming a coalition.
Some analysts said that the rationale behind it would be to give Netanyahu a chance to flex the political muscle and show that Likud rallied around him as strong as ever.
Earlier, Sa'ar stirred a ruckus at another Central Committee gathering, which saw some of the party members heckle him down as others chanted words of support.
Netanyahu is currently facing charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust over three graft cases, with the announcement earlier announced by the country's Attorney General.
This development made for a political bombshell, sending shockwaves across the Israeli political scene, which is now gripped by a deadlock which has now culminated in a third general vote to be held in a year.