Newcomer 'wins Labour primary in Israel'
Political newcomer Ami Ayalon and Israeli former Prime Minister Ehud Barak were locked in a close race for leadership of the Labour Party today, according to poll results broadcast on television stations.
A Channel Two television poll declared Ayalon, a former navy admiral and head of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, the winner, while an Israel TV poll said Barak received most votes.
Both polls, however, showed the men falling short of the 40% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. If the results hold up, the men will face each other in a June 12 runoff.
Final results were expected early tomorrow.
The Channel Two poll said Ayalon won 39% of the vote, compared to 33% for Barak and 19% for the current party leader, Amir Peretz.
The Israel TV poll said Barak received 38%, compared to 36% for Ayalon and 17% for Peretz.
Neither poll gave a margin of error.
