1.
GV Knesset with members seated
0.02

2.
SV PULL BACK GV PM Begin speaking, then PAN OVER members listening
0.21

3.
GV Opposition member questioning Mr. Begin
0.29

4.
SV Opposition leader Shimon Peres questions Mr. Begin
0.37

5.
SV Mr. Begin replying
0.43

6.
GV Knesset
0.47

7.
SV Speaker calling for vote
0.51

8.
GV Knesset voting, PAN TO Mr. Begin with hand raised as numbers counted
1.12

9.
SV Speaker announces result
1.20

10.
SV Mr. Begin shakes hands with religious coalition partners
1.32




Initials PM





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin presented his new Cabinet to President Navon on Thursday (6 August) after narrowly winning a Parliamentary vote of confidence. Prior to the Ministers being sworn in, there had been five weeks of intensive bargaining between Mr. Begin and the three religious parties of the coalition. Having presented his Cabinet to the President, the Prime Minister officially began a second four-year term in office.

SYNOPSIS:
The debate lasted 13 hours. In his policy guidelines, Mr. Begin promised that his new Government would strive for peace and seek the resumption of autonomy talks. However, the Prime Minister said autonomy could never mean Palestinian sovereignty or self-determination.

The independent Haaretz attacked the promises to spend an estimated 50-million dollars on religious institutions and criticised the scramble for political office among the coalition party. Opposition Leader Shimon Peres was also vocal during the debate.

Ten of 28 guidelines presented by M. Begin referred to Arab-Israel affairs. The remainder covered unemployment, inflation, poverty, crime and bed housing.

At this stage no one knew just how close the vote was going to be. With issues such as the West Bank of the Jordan and its Jewish settlers still unresolved, and Mr. Begin vowing not to give up the Golan Heights captured from Syria in 1967, the debate has been heated at times.

When the tally was made, the coalition Government received its vote of confidence by a 61 to 58.

After presenting the Ministers to President Navon, Prime Minister Begin prepared to travel to Northern Israel for a brief holiday at the Mediterranean resort of Nahariyah.