U.S. President George Bush arrived Wednesday in Israel to kick-start a peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians as part of a five-day Middle East tour.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak told a parliamentary committee Tuesday the country will soon have protection against 90 percent of the missiles fired at it. Barak's appearance before the Knesset Control Committee with Lt. Gen.

Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres was the victor Wednesday in the country's first Knesset vote for a new president. Peres won the first round of voting.

By Donald Macintyre The former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak claimed victory last night in the race to lead the Labour Party after exit polls predicted a narrow victory.

Israel's Labor Party voted in a runoff leadership election yesterday pitting former prime minister Ehud Barak against ex- intelligence chief Ami Ayalon, a race that may help decide Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's future.