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GV INT. Knesset in session
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LV PAN Chairman calling for Knesset to vote PAN TO delegates voting.
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SV Chairman checking ballot papers.
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TOP VIEW Prime Minister, Mr Menachem Begin, talking to leader of Labour Opposition, Mr Shimon Peres, as Chairman announces result of vote (in Hebrew).
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TOP VIEW Mr. begin being congratulated by members of parliament.
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SV Delegates including former Prime Minister General Yitzak Rabin leaving Knesset.
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7.
CU Mr Peres speaking in English to reporters.
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CU Mr Begin speaking in English and answering reporters questions.
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SV Mr Begin surrounded by supporters as he walks through the corridors of the Knesset.
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REPORTER: "Did it turn out, in fact, that Mr. Begin needed the support of the Labour alignment?"



PERES: "I think so, yes."



REPORTER: "And what do you feel is going to happen now in the negotiations with Egypt. Will they go ahead with the full Israeli..?"



PERES: "I believe, I believe that President Sadat is seriously and sincerely interested in peace, and I think that parliament responded today in the right way."



REPORTER: "Given the ultimate vote, do you think there is a chance that the Labour party might join the government?"



PERES: "The Labour party prefers to support the right policy. About the government, there is some question."



BEGIN: "Our parliament, by overwhelming majority, decided actually tonight to start direct negotiations with Egypt with the aim to conclude a peace treaty. This is the historical, moral and political meaning of the decision taken by the Knesset tonight."



REPORTER: "Is this a turning point in Middle East history?"



BEGIN: "It may be. We may start our negotiations perhaps already next week, or in two weeks time and these , as promised in the framework adopted at Camp David will, in two or three months we, Egypt and Israel will sign a peace treaty. No doubt this will be the great turning point in the history of the Middle East."




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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Israeli Knesset on Tuesday (28 September) overwhelmingly approved the Camp David accords after a debate which lasted 18 hours. The peace proposals attracted inside support from the Labour Opposition, and the result of the vote opens the way for further talks on an agreed peace with Egypt.

SYNOPSIS: The vote cut across party lines, with 84 in favour, 19 against and 17 abstentions. This gives Prime Minister, Mr Menachem begin, authority to resume Jewish settlers from the Sinai Peninsula; a condition which President Anwar Sadat of Egypt required before peace negotiations can be resumed.

The marathon debate was said to be one of the most crucial in Israel's history. It ended with Mr. Begin telling the Knesset that the Camp David accord gives Israel the best chance of peace in 30 years. Reporters talked first to Opposition leader Mr Shimon Peres, and then to Prime Minister Mr. Begin.

As he struggled out through the throng of supporters, Mr Begin said all he wanted was some sleep.