Livni, Tzipi

(1958- )

   Born in Tel Aviv, after graduating from Bar Ilan University's faculty of law, she worked for Israel's foreign intelligence service Mossad from 1980 to 1984. First elected to the Knesset on the Likud Party list in 1999, she was appointed minister of regional cooperation in July 2001. She was initially appointed minister of justice in January 2005 and was reappointed to that portfolio on 1 October 2005. She joined the newly established Kadima Party in November 2005. She became foreign minister in January 2006. Reelected to the 17th Knesset on the Kadima Party list on 28 March 2006, Livni was appointed foreign minister and acting prime minister in Israel's 31st government announced by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on 4 May 2006. Livni also served as minister of justice from November 2006 until February 2007.

   See also Women in Israel.