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Israel to elect new Labour leader Israel to elect new Labour leader
(about 9 hours later)
Israel's Labour Party is electing a new leader, with politics in the country likely to see a significant shift. Labour, the second party in Israel's governing coalition, is electing a new leader with the result likely to cause significant political change.
Labour is the second major party in the governing coalition. The other is Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima party. 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.
In the first round of Labour party elections last month, the current leader and Defence Minister, Amir Peretz, was knocked out. Incumbent Amir Peretz, who was heavily criticised after the 2006 Lebanon war, was knocked out in the first round.
The two remaining candidates are the former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and the political newcomer Ami Ayalon. Both candidates want PM Ehud Olmert to resign over his handling of the war.
In the tradition of Israeli politics, this has been an openly hostile fight. 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.
What unites both candidates is their call for the current Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign, following widespread criticism of the government's actions in last year's war in Lebanon. Mr Barak cast his vote north of Tel Aviv, where he made a brief statement to journalists.
Mr Barak carries the weight of political experience and the distinction of being Israel's most highly decorated soldier. "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.
Ami Ayalon used to head the Shin Bet 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 will close at 1800.
The election will be decided by several hundred votes to this or that side Labour official Nissim Zvili Profiles: Barak and Ayalon Exit polls are expected to be released immediately, but the final results may not be published until Wednesday.
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.
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 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.
Against him stands Mr Ayalon, the former director of Israel's Internal Security Agency, the Shin Bet. Mr Ayalon, former director of Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, has only been in the Israeli parliament for a year.
Mr Ayalon 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.
Neither candidate appears eager to take Labour out of the governing coalition just yet, for fear of handing the gift of early elections to the main right-wing opposition.