Dalia Itzik
Encyclopedia
Dalia Itzik born 20 October 1952, is an Israel
i politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Kadima
. She has previously served in several ministerial positions, and on 4 May 2006 became the first female speaker of the Knesset
, and has since served as President of Israel
in an interim capacity on two occasions.
neighborhood.
in 1992, Itzik served as the deputy mayor of Jerusalem.
After being re-elected in 1996 and 1999, she was appointed Minister of the Environment
in Ehud Barak's government, serving from 1999 until 2001. In 2001 she became Minister of Industry and Trade
, before leaving the cabinet in 2002.
Re-elected in 2003, Itzik served as Minister of Communications
in 2005. In 2006 she defected to Ariel Sharon
's newly formed party, Kadima.
Following the 2006 elections she became Knesset speaker. On 25 January 2007, Israeli President Moshe Katzav took a three month leave of absence, and on 1 July of that year, resigned the office in a plea bargain. The speaker of the Knesset stands first in the line of succession, making Itzik acting President both times. She served as the official head of State until Shimon Peres
formally took over on 15 July 2007.
After winning third place on the party's list, Itzik retained her seat in the 2009 elections
.
.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Kadima
Kadima
Kadima is a centrist and liberal political party in Israel. It was established on 24 November 2005 by moderates from Likud largely to support the issue of Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan, and was soon joined by like-minded Labor politicians...
. She has previously served in several ministerial positions, and on 4 May 2006 became the first female speaker of the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
, and has since served as President of Israel
President of Israel
The President of the State of Israel is the head of state of Israel. The position is largely an apolitical ceremonial figurehead role, with the real executive power lying in the hands of the Prime Minister. The current president is Shimon Peres who took office on 15 July 2007...
in an interim capacity on two occasions.
Biography
Itzik was born in Jerusalem to a family of Iraqi Jews. She is married to Danny, an employee of the Israel Electric Corporation. They have three children, Ran, Uri and Adi. The family lives in Jerusalem's Ramat SharettRamat Sharett
Ramat Sharett is a neighbourhood in southwest Jerusalem, Israel, located between Ramat Denya and Beit VeGan. The neighborhood was established in 1974 and named for Moshe Sharett, Prime Minister of Israel in 1953-1955....
neighborhood.
Political career
Before being elected to the 13th KnessetIsraeli legislative election, 1992
Elections for the thirteenth Knesset were held in Israel on 23 June 1992. The result was a victory for the left, led by Yitzhak Rabin's Labor Party, though their win was at least partially due to several small right-wing parties narrowly failing to cross the electoral threshold and thus effectively...
in 1992, Itzik served as the deputy mayor of Jerusalem.
After being re-elected in 1996 and 1999, she was appointed Minister of the Environment
Environmental Protection Minister of Israel
The Environmental Protection Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Environment and a relatively minor position in the Israeli cabinet. The post was created on 22 December 1988, and until May 2006 was known as the Minister of the Environment...
in Ehud Barak's government, serving from 1999 until 2001. In 2001 she became Minister of Industry and Trade
Industry, Trade and Labour Minister of Israel
The Industry, Trade and Labour Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour and a position in the Israeli cabinet....
, before leaving the cabinet in 2002.
Re-elected in 2003, Itzik served as Minister of Communications
Communications Minister of Israel
The Communications Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Communications and a relatively minor position in the Israeli cabinet. The post was established in 1952, and until 1970 was known as the Minister of Postal Services...
in 2005. In 2006 she defected to Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon is an Israeli statesman and retired general, who served as Israel’s 11th Prime Minister. He has been in a permanent vegetative state since suffering a stroke on 4 January 2006....
's newly formed party, Kadima.
Following the 2006 elections she became Knesset speaker. On 25 January 2007, Israeli President Moshe Katzav took a three month leave of absence, and on 1 July of that year, resigned the office in a plea bargain. The speaker of the Knesset stands first in the line of succession, making Itzik acting President both times. She served as the official head of State until Shimon Peres
Shimon Peres
GCMG is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Peres served twice as the eighth Prime Minister of Israel and once as Interim Prime Minister, and has been a member of 12 cabinets in a political career spanning over 66 years...
formally took over on 15 July 2007.
After winning third place on the party's list, Itzik retained her seat in the 2009 elections
Israeli legislative election, 2009
Elections for the 18th Knesset were held in Israel on 10 February 2009. These elections became necessary due to the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as leader of the Kadima party, and the failure of his successor, Tzipi Livni, to form a coalition government...
.
Controversy
On 13 October 2009, Channel Two reported that Dalia Itzik spent NIS 75,000 of taxpayers' money on an unnecessary hotel upgrade during a 2006 4-night trip to Paris, France. During the trip, Ms. Itzik stayed in a €1,995-a night suite at Hotel Le BristolHôtel Le Bristol Paris
Hôtel Le Bristol Paris is a luxury hotel, located on the fashion precinct of the Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré in Paris, France, at number 112.- History :...
.