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GV Trade Union Hall (Histadrut), Tel Aviv
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SVs People voting in hall (4 shots)
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CU PULL BACK TO SV More people voting (2 shots)
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SV ZOOM IN TO SCU Shimon Peres standing with Yeruham Meshel, and election clerks at work in hall (3 shots)
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GV Shimon Peres and others listening to announcement of election results and officials working in hall
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CU PULL BACK TO SV Meshel and others toasting election victory with champagne
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: Israel's opposition Labour Party has celebrated a victory in trade union elections which it hopes will boost its chances in the general election on June 30th. The results of the poll on Wednesday (9 April) showed that Labour retained control of the powerful Histadrut Labour Federation with an increased majority.

SYNOPSIS: About 55 per cent of the Histadrut's one and a half million members turned out to record their vote. Labour's lead over the rival Likud bloc was extensive -- 64 per cent against 25 per cent. But Labour leaders agreed they had no reason for over confidence about the June contest.

Opinion polls show that Labour's once formidable lead over Likud and its leader, Prime Minister Menachem Begin, has faded recently in a climate of government tax cuts and cheaper consumer goods. Both sides have been seeking electoral guidance in this ballot for leadership of the Histadrut.

Labour leader Shimon Peres is accompanied here by Yeruham Meshel, the Histadrut's Secretary-General. The Labour Federation is the largest voluntary organisation in Israel and the most important economic body in the state. The Histadrut is open to workers from all walks of life.

Shimon Peres will become Israel's Prime Minister if his party wins the June election. After the Histadrut result, Mr. Peres stated he was hoping to obtain a clear parliamentary majority in the coming general election. He said he would then lead "the first government ever to rule Israel without having to form a coalition".