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Israel to elect new Labour leader 'Close vote' for Israel's Labour
(about 5 hours later)
Labour, the second party in Israel's governing coalition, is electing a new leader with the result likely to cause significant political change. Labour, the second party in Israel's ruling coalition, has been electing a new leader in a knife-edge poll which could lead to major political change.
The choice lies between two military men, ex-army chief and former PM Ehud Barak and ex-navy and intelligence chief Ami Ayalon, a political novice. Exit polls suggest army chief and ex-PM Ehud Barak and ex-navy and intelligence chief Ami Ayalon, a political novice, are running neck-and-neck.
Incumbent Amir Peretz, who was heavily criticised after the 2006 Lebanon war, was knocked out in the first round.Incumbent Amir Peretz, who was heavily criticised after the 2006 Lebanon war, was knocked out in the first round.
Both candidates want PM Ehud Olmert to resign over his handling of the war.Both candidates want PM Ehud Olmert to resign over his handling of the war.
However, correspondents say neither Mr Barak nor Mr Ayalon is likely to bring down the coalition led by Mr Olmert's Kadima party, as opinion polls indicate the right-wing Likud opposition would win in the event of a general election.However, correspondents say neither Mr Barak nor Mr Ayalon is likely to bring down the coalition led by Mr Olmert's Kadima party, as opinion polls indicate the right-wing Likud opposition would win in the event of a general election.
Mr Barak cast his vote north of Tel Aviv, where he made a brief statement to journalists.Mr Barak cast his vote north of Tel Aviv, where he made a brief statement to journalists.
"I call on voters to think about who is better to lead the country in a time of war and who has the most courage to make peace," he said."I call on voters to think about who is better to lead the country in a time of war and who has the most courage to make peace," he said.
Casting his vote in Haifa, Mr Ayalon said: "Those who want a new way for the Labour party should vote for me."Casting his vote in Haifa, Mr Ayalon said: "Those who want a new way for the Labour party should vote for me."
Close race Polls opened at 0630 GMT for the party's 103,000 registered members at 313 polling stations, and closed at 1800.
Polls opened at 0630 GMT for the party's 103,000 registered members at 313 polling stations, and will close at 1800. Exit polls showed Mr Barak with a slight lead over his rival, polling between 50% and 52%.
The election will be decided by several hundred votes to this or that side Labour official Nissim Zvili class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6699741.stm">Profiles: Barak and Ayalon Exit polls are expected to be released immediately, but the final results may not be published until Wednesday. But pollsters said this lead could be reversed by actual voting.
A survey published by Israel's Channel 10 television predicted an eight-point victory for Mr Barak, but another poll in the Globes daily put his lead at 3%, less than the margin of error. The election will be decided by several hundred votes to this or that side Labour official Nissim Zvili class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6699741.stm">Profiles: Barak and Ayalon The final results may not be published until Wednesday.
Both candidates say they want to replace Mr Peretz as defence minister, a role that he took, unusually in Israeli politics, despite not having had a military career.Both candidates say they want to replace Mr Peretz as defence minister, a role that he took, unusually in Israeli politics, despite not having had a military career.
"The race is very close, and the election will be decided by several hundred votes to this or that side," senior party official Nissim Zvili said in remarks quoted by AFP news agency."The race is very close, and the election will be decided by several hundred votes to this or that side," senior party official Nissim Zvili said in remarks quoted by AFP news agency.
The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says Mr Barak carries the weight of political experience and the distinction of being Israel's most highly decorated soldier.The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says Mr Barak carries the weight of political experience and the distinction of being Israel's most highly decorated soldier.
But many blame him, at least in part, for his role in the failed negotiations with the Palestinians seven years ago, which preceded a particularly bloody period of Palestinian-Israeli violence.But many blame him, at least in part, for his role in the failed negotiations with the Palestinians seven years ago, which preceded a particularly bloody period of Palestinian-Israeli violence.
Mr Ayalon, former director of Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, has only been in the Israeli parliament for a year.Mr Ayalon, former director of Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, has only been in the Israeli parliament for a year.
He is regarded as potentially more adventurous in his efforts to pursue peace with the Palestinians.He is regarded as potentially more adventurous in his efforts to pursue peace with the Palestinians.