Military

DATE=10/29/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL/POLITICS(S)

NUMBER=2-268584

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak says he is close to forming a national emergency government. Jenny Badner in Jerusalem reports that the announcement comes as Israeli soldiers and Palestinian demonstrators continued to clash in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

TEXT: Prime Minister Barak says Israel is moving closer to forming a national emergency government.

But Mr. Barak did not say when an emergency government would be formed. He has been talking with opposition Likud party leader, Ariel Sharon in an effort to expand the coalition.

Israel's parliament reconvenes Monday and Mr. Barak faces a no-confidence motion that could lead to early elections.

After more than one-month of violence, intense clashes are reported between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

More than 130-people, nearly all Palestinian, have been killed since the beginning of the violence.

The Israeli Army say its soldiers and Lebanese gunmen also exchanged fire at the Israel-Lebanon border, but there were no reports of injuries. (SIGNED)

NEB/JB/DW/RAE