Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Ultra-Orthodox

Ultra-Orthodox Dept: The new coalition, agreed after weeks of deadlock, will be the first in a decade, and one of the few in Israeli history, to exclude ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, according to The Star. Significant progress on the peace front could be more difficult, given bitter disagreements among the coalition members as well as deep differences with the Palestinians and JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached an agreement Thursday to form a new coalition government that is expected to try to curb years of preferential treatment for the ultra-Orthodox minority and may push for restarting peace efforts with Palestinians. It includes two new rising stars in Israeli politics and is well positioned to end a controversial system of draft exemptions and generous welfare subsidies granted to ultra-Orthodox seminary students. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.