Benjamin Netanyahu wins re-election as chair of Likud The Israeli prime minister secured three-quarters of the vote to become Likud's leader for the fifth time in 18 years. Moshe Feiglin, a perennial challenger who calls for Israel's annexation of the West Bank, secured 24 per cent, failing to build on his last total in 2007. The size of his victory will boost Mr Netanyahu, who has faced criticism from some within his traditionally hawkish party for accepting the notion of Palestinian statehood. Senior party officials were quoted as saying that he is contemplating calling an election in October, taking advantage of a strong showing in opinion polls and signs of disarray in some opposition parties. The latest polls suggest that Likud would easily emerge as the largest party in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, with 26 seats. Likud's nearest challenger is its hardline coalition partner Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, the hawkish foreign minister. It is projected to win 17 seats, according to two polls, narrowly ahead of the left-wing Labour party. Kadima, the official opposition party which won the single largest share of seats in the 2009 election, has slipped to fourth place. Its leader Tzippi Livni is facing a strong challenge from Shaul Mofaz, a former general, when the party holds its primary next month. Mr Netanyahu has seen his popularity grow after he refused to yield to pressure from President Barack Obama to adopt a more accommodating policy on Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank, an issue that has stalled peace talks with the Palestinians for three years. Although the prime minister is not obliged to call an election until October 2011, some observers say he wants to secure a fresh mandate before Americans go to the polls in November so that he is in a strong enough position to stand up to Mr Obama should the Democrat win a second term.