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Israel to Go Center-Left

Israel`s Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday that his centrist Kadima party, founded by ailing former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, would work to form a governing coalition with the left-leaning Labor Party as a senior partner. Such an alliance would likely promote Olmert`s "convergence" plan for a withdrawal from large areas of the West Bank.

Meanwhile in the Gaza Strip, Israeli artillery shells killed a Palestinian and wounded several others in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, medics reported, after terrorists fired more of their "Qassam" rockets into Israel, causing no casualties now though such rockets have in the past caused injuries and deaths.

Mr. Olmert, who made his announcement with Labor leader Amir Peretz at his side, is also expected to bring in several smaller parties, including the ultra-Orthodox factions Shas and United Torah Judaism, as well as the Pensioners Party, which won a surprising seven seats in national polls conducted on March 28, 2006. A total of 31 parties took part in the elections.