Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has claimed victory in a vote that challenged his leadership of the governing likud party. The contest has been a test of his hold on power at a time of mounting difficulties. Mr netanyahu, who faces trial on bribery and corruption charges, tweeted an hour after polls closed a huge win thank you to the friends and likud members for their trust, support and love. With god and with your help, i will lead the likud to a big victory in the Upcoming Elections one hour later, official results came in, giving mr netanyahu 72. 5 . His rival, gideon saar, who claimed the party needs a new direction, took 27. 5 . Heres our correspondent, Barbara Plett usher. Over the past year, there have been two elections and in both of them mr netanyahu was unable to form a Coalition Government, he was not able to get enough olitical allies to support him to actually create a government that he could lead. Hanging over all of that was the pending possibility of crim