| Barak takes helm, launches Israel on course for peace |
Fifty days after voters rejected the hard-line policies of Benjamin
Netanyahu's Likud Party in favor of a center-left coalition, former
army chief Ehud Barak took the oath of office as Israel's new prime minister.

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Pre-election News and Analysis
| Analysis: A different election |

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As Israelis prepare to go to the polls for the second parliamentary elections in three years, a question arises that paraphrases Passover literature: "Why is this election different from all other elections?"
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Palestinian perspective: Election viewed with skepticism |

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The Palestinians, and officials in the Palestinian Authority in particular, have been following the Israeli elections closely. Much is resting on whom the Israelis elect as prime minister and how that person negotiates with the Palestinians.
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CNN's coverage of Barak's victory speech
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'I don't think we'll have an easy ride," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat says, but he is hopeful about Barak's victory.
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'The people have decided': Netanyahu concedes defeat and steps down as leader of the Likud Party
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