The World - News from March 16, 1989

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir’s right-wing Likud Party cemented its domination of local government by defeating the rival Labor Party in 11 election runoffs. Published results also showed a victory for Islamic fundamentalists, who wrested control of two more local councils in Arab villages from popular non-religious parties. The runoffs were held Tuesday in 27 townships and cities where candidates failed to win a minimum of 40% of the vote in local elections held Feb. 28. Likud’s gains mean the party now controls 44 townships, compared to only 26 after 1983 elections. The left-leaning Labor Party won eight councils Tuesday, bringing its total to 32, a significant decline from 54 in 1983.