Former Likud lawmaker Gideon Sa'ar exulted after taking number three in the Likud primaries, despite a fierce campaign by Prime Minister Netanyahu to scuttle his return to the party.
"At the end of a difficult and challenging election campaign, I would like to thank the Likud members for trusting me and after four years of time out of public life - I was re-elected to the Likud's leadership," said Sa'ar. "I thank them for their support and love and for keeping me loyal as I was loyal to the Likud in the most difficult times."
"I see the result as my greatest political achievement - even more so than the two times in which I was elected in the first place in the past," Sa'ar added. "The Likud proved its democratic power, and the Likud members proved their national and national talent and responsibility in their selection as an excellent national team with experience and talent."