Call for Israeli election threatens Begin's hold

Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin's government faces a direct attempt to topple it after a small oppsosition faction submitted a bill in the Knesset (parliament) Wednesday calling for new elections. The bill was proposed by Amnon Rubinstein, of the six-man Shai (change) Party, and will be debated next week. The main opposition Labor Party has already pledged support.

Most political commentators indicated that Mr. Begin's shaky coalition could still muster enough votes to win the narrowest of majorities.