Netanyahu Touts Trump Ties in Bid to Woo Right-Wing Voters

TEL AVIV—Buoyed by a resounding victory in a party leadership election, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brandished his close ties with President Trump to woo right-wing voters as he attempts to break a monthslong political deadlock in the country.

Mr. Netanyahu defeated Likud rival Gideon Saar in Thursday’s primary contest, winning nearly three-quarters of the votes despite corruption charges against him, to lead the party in March’s national election. He failed to form a ruling coalition after inconclusive votes in April and September.

“Now is the time to unite and bring a sweeping victory to the right and the Likud in the upcoming elections,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a speech Friday, attempting to use the momentum from his primary victory to tap a larger audience.

Promising voters historic achievements in his next candidacy, Mr. Netanyahu said his relationship with Mr. Trump had delivered right-wing achievements once believed to be beyond reach.

Since coming to office, Mr. Trump’s administration has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the U.S. Embassy there—changing decades of U.S. policy on a sensitive issue between Israelis and Palestinians. It also has recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the contested Golan Heights and declared that it no longer sees Israeli settlements in the West Bank as contrary to international law.