Israeli lawmaker aims to oust Netanyahu in Likud primary

(AP) Israel’s Likud party is holding a primary vote to choose its leader. It’s the first serious internal challenge to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his decade-plus in power.

Veteran politician Gideon Saar hopes to unseat Netanyahu, claiming the long-serving leader will be unable to form a government again as the country heads toward third straight national elections.

But despite the corruption indictments against him, Netanyahu remains popular among Likud members and the fiercely loyal party has stood firmly behind him, which is why he is expected to defeat Saar handily in Thursday’s vote.

The results are expected early on Friday.