Itzik, Dalia

(1952— )

   Born in Jerusalem and a teacher by training, from 1982 to 1988, she served as chairperson of the Jerusalem Teachers' Association. She was also a member of the Jerusalem City Council and deputy mayor of the city from 1989 to 1993. First elected to the Knesset in 1992 on the Israel Labor Party list, she was reelected in 1996 and 1999. Itzik was appointed environment minister on 6 July 1999, the only female member of the original cabinet formed by Ehud Barak. Reelected to the 16th Knesset in 2003, she was appointed minister of communications on 10 January 2005. Itzik was reelected to the 17th Knesset in March 2006 on the Kadima list. On 4 May 2006, she made history by being elected the first female speaker of the Knesset. After President Moshe Katsav requested and received a temporary leave of absence in January 2007, she became acting president for the duration of his period of absence. She served in that capacity until Shimon Peres took office as Israel's ninth president on 15 July 2007.

   See also Women in Israel.