1.0 link 127244 <![CDATA[Ultra-Orthodox party emerging as Israel kingmaker]]> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/17/tv-polls-livni-wins-rulin_n_127244.html JERUSALEM &mdash; An ultra-Orthodox Jewish party run by an octogenarian rabbi who has said Hurricane Katrina was divine punishment emerged Thursday as the kingmaker in forming the next Israeli government.

Having won a fight to be leader of the ruling Kadima Party, Tzipi Livni now will likely need Shas as a partner to become prime minister. But Shas opposes any compromise on Jerusalem, and including it in a coalition could tie her hands in peace talks with the Palestinians.

]]> 2008-10-18T05:12:00-04:00