News In Brief

Swearing in of Rabbi Kahane overshadows Knesset opening

Hundreds of mounted police and special border guards were mobilized Monday to prevent violence as some 5,000 Israelis planned to protest the swearing in of Rabbi Meir Kahane to the Knesset. The oath of office for the militant American-born rabbi - who wants to expel all Arabs from Israel - overshadowed the convening of the 11th parliament.

The legislative body was expected to recess after the opening ceremony because of the inconclusive July 23 elections that sent the ruling Likud coalition and opposition Labor Party into negotiations on a possible national-unity government.