An unofficial television poll released shortly after 11 p.m. local time gave Likud a substantial victory in today’s elections with a projected 44 seats in the next Knesset while Labor dropped to 32 seats from the 50 it holds in the outgoing Knesset.
According to the poll taken at 25 selected polling stations out of 3380 all over the country, Likud gained five seats and will be Israel’s largest party. The new Democratic Movement for Change headed by Prof. Yigal Yadin, won 16 seats according to the early projection, to become the third largest party. The National Religious Party won II, a gain of one seat.
The Rakah Communist Party won four seats and the Aguda Israel three, the same number of seats these factions hold at present. The Labor-affiliated Arab List won three seats; the Shlomzion movement of Gen. Ariel Sharon won two seats and the leftist Sheli faction headed by Arye Eliav, Meir Payil and Uri Avneri won two seats. Projections for the remaining factions were not given.
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