Israel plans to hold Knesset elections in…

Israel plans to hold Knesset elections in June that focus on the Likud's failure to stop the PLO buildup in southern Lebanon or to remove Syrian missile batteries from the Biqa (Bekaa) Valley in eastern Lebanon.

To remove a potential nuclear threat and to bolster its public image, the IDF launches a successful attack on the French-built Iraqi Osiraq (acronym for Osiris-Iraq) nuclear reactor three weeks before the elections.

Menachem Begin interprets widespread public approval of the attack as a mandate for a more aggressive policy in Lebanon.

The Likud also rallies a large number of undecided voters by reducing import duties on luxury goods, enabling Israeli consumers to go on an unprecedented buying spree that will later result in spiraling inflation.

Although Labor regains an additional fifteen seats over its poor showing in 1977 when it won only thirty-two seats, it is unable to prevail over Likud.

Begin's policies have aroused strong international opposition but aided his victory over Peres in the elections.