(25 Dec 2012) ++VIDEO AS INCOMING ++
1. Images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman projected on screen
2. Wide of Lieberman on stage
3. SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) Avigdor Lieberman, former Foreign Minister:
"This unity is important, very important. It is important to have a landslide victory. We need a powerful prime minister because a powerful prime minister means
powerful leadership "
4. Netanyahu on stage, waving
5. Netanyahu on stage
6. SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel:
"With God's help, we will continue to live and build in Jerusalem, which will remain united under Israeli sovereignty"
7. Wide of Netanyahu, supporters cheering
8. Mid of crowd waving Israeli flags (UPSOUND: Music)
9. Zoom out from Netanyahu and singer on stage to crowd
10. Netanyahu and Lieberman on stage
STORYLINE:
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman launched a joint election campaign in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party and Netanyahu's Likud recently joined forces in the election, enabling the ultra-nationalist politician to position himself as Netanyahu's heir.
"With God's help, we will continue to live and build in Jerusalem, which will remain united under Israeli sovereignty," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the campaign launch event of the Likud-Beitenu Party.
Israel's prime minister has vowed to build in Jerusalem despite UN criticism, dismissing the international body in particularly strong terms.
The UN last month endorsed the idea of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza, areas which Israel won in the 1967 war, but which the world views as occupied territory.
Last week following fraud and breach of trust charges filed against him, Lieberman handed in his official resignation
But he remains on the slate of candidates running with Prime Minister Netanyahu for election to parliament on 22 January, 2013, although his legal dilemmas could complicate his hopes of serving as a minister in the next government.
The list is expected to lead a new government, despite Lieberman's troubles. But coalition-building negotiations would likely be complicated.
Recent polls show hawkish parties winning a majority in the parliament, with Netanyahu and Leiberman's embryo coalition ahead of Labour.
Israelis traditionally vote for parties, not candidates, for premier.
The head of the party winning the most seats normally gets first crack at assembling a government.
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