Military

DATE=01/28/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= ISRAEL ELECTIONS (S)

NUMBER=2-298882

BYLINE= LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Polls have opened in Israel, as four-point-three-million eligible voters go to the polls to select a new parliament that will -- in turn -- choose a new government. Larry James reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: In the run-up to the vote public opinion polls show Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud Party the front runner -- set to win the largest number of seats in the 120-member parliament.

But Likud is not expected to win the 61 seats necessary to establish a clear majority. The opposition Labor Party is expected to come second, but has said it will not join Mr. Sharon in a coalition that will almost certainly be necessary to form a new government.

Mr. Sharon has taken a hard line against the Palestinian uprising. On Sunday, Israel banned Palestinian travel in the West Bank and Gaza Strip until after the general elections are completed. The Israeli Army says it has been warned that Palestinian militant groups plan to attack Israeli citizens.

The travel ban was announced hours after Israeli forces pulled out of Gaza City, following a raid that killed 12 Palestinians and wounded at least 50 others. (signed)

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