Tzipora Malka "Tzipi" Livni (Hebrew: ציפורה מלכה "ציפי" לבני, born 8 July 1958) is an Israeli politician and is the current leader of Kadima, the largest party in the Knesset. Raised an ardent nationalist, Livni has become one of her nation's leading voices for the two-state solution. In Israel she has earned a reputation as honest, clean, and sticking to her principles.[1][2][3][4][5] She currently serves as the country's Opposition Leader.[6][7]
Biography
Born in Tel Aviv,[8] Livni is the daughter of Eitan Livni (born in Poland) and Sara Rosenberg, both prominent former Irgun members.[9] Her father served as the chief operations officer of the Irgun. Tzipi Livni served as a lieutenant in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)[10]. According to an interview in Yediot Aharonot, described in The Sunday Times, she served in the elite Mossad unit responsible for Operation Wrath of God (also known as Bayonet) in the 1980s. [11] She resigned from the IDF in August 1983 to marry and finish her law studies.[12] A graduate of Bar-Ilan University's Faculty of Law, she has practiced public and commercial law for 10 years.[13] Livni resides in Tel Aviv; she is married to advertising executive Naftali Spitzer and has two children, Omri and Yuval. Livni has been a vegetarian since the age of 12.[14] Besides her native language, Hebrew, Livni also speaks English and French.[15]
Political career
U.S. Vice President
Dick Cheney meets with Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni at the White House.
Early career
Livni entered politics in 1996 when she tried to win a spot on Likud's list to the Knesset. She was not elected to the knesset, but was appointed as head of the government-owned corporations authority in Netanyahu's government and oversaw the privatization of a number of companies. Livni was first elected to the Knesset as a member of the Likud party in 1999. When Likud leader Ariel Sharon became prime minister in July 2001, Livni was appointed Minister of Regional Co-operation, and thereafter held various Cabinet positions including Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister of Immigrant Absorption and Minister of Housing and Construction.[16] She received the Abirat Ha-Shilton ("Quality of Governance") award for 2004. On 1 October, 2005, she was appointed Minister of Justice after several months acting in that position.[17]
In Sharon's Cabinet, Livni was an avid supporter of the prime minister's disengagement plan and was generally considered to be among the key dovish or moderate members of the Likud party. She often mediated between various elements inside the party, and made efforts to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including successful efforts to have the pullout from the Gaza Strip ratified by the Knesset. On 12 November, 2005, she spoke at the official yearly commemoration of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination.[18]
Joining Kadima
On 20 November, 2005, Livni followed Sharon and Ehud Olmert into the new Kadima Party. Ahead of the 28 March elections Livni was appointed to be the new Foreign Minister, while continuing to serve as Justice Minister, as a result of the mass resignation of Likud Party members from the government.[19]
In the selection of candidates for the March 2006 Knesset election, Livni was awarded the number three position on Kadima's list of candidates, which effectively guaranteed her election to the Knesset.[20]
On 4 May, 2006, with the swearing-in of the 31st Government, Livni became Vice (or Deputy) Prime Minister and retained the position of Foreign Minister. She ceased serving as Justice Minister at that time, but again held that position from 29 November, 2006 to 7 February, 2007, while still serving in her primary role of Foreign Minister.[20]
After the March 2006 Knesset election, Livni was described as "the second most powerful politician in Israel".[21] Livni is the second woman in Israel to hold the post of foreign minister, after Golda Meir. In 2007, she was included in the Time 100 Most Influential People in the World.[22] Forbes ranked her the 40th most powerful woman in the world in 2006,[23] 39th in 2007,[24] and 52nd in 2008.[25]
Livni became the first Israeli cabinet minister to explicitly differentiate Palestinian guerrilla attacks against Israeli military targets from terrorist attacks against civilians. In an interview on the US television news show Nightline, recorded on 28 March, 2006, Livni stated, "Somebody who is fighting against Israeli soldiers is an enemy and we will fight back, but I believe that this is not under the definition of terrorism, if the target is a soldier."[26]
In 2007, she met with Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, to discuss "improving the lives of the Palestinian people, without compromising Israel's security."[27]
On 2 May, 2007, Livni called for Olmert's resignation in the wake of the publication of the Winograd Commission's interim report. She offered herself as leader of Kadima if Olmert decided to step down and asserted her confidence in her ability to defeat him in a party election should he decline.[28][29] However, her call was ignored by Olmert and her decision to stay in the Cabinet sparked some controversy.[30]
As foreign minister, Livni won the admiration of European colleagues, who cite her lawyerly logic and pragmatism.[4][31]
In 2008, Livni condemned a photomontage of Pope Benedict XVI with a swastika displayed on his chest which was published on a website run by supporters of her Kadima party. [32]
Kadima leadership and Prime Minister-designation
In the Kadima leadership election held on 17 September, 2008, Olmert decided not to stand for re-election as party leader and stated he would resign as Prime Minister following the election. Livni and Shaul Mofaz emerged as the main rivals for the leadership.[33] Livni won the Kadima leadership election by a margin of just 431 votes (1%).[34][35] Palestinian peace negotiators were reportedly pleased with the result.[11]
Upon declaring victory in the leadership election, Livni said the, "national responsibility (bestowed) by the public brings me to approach this job with great reverence."[36]
On 21 September, 2008, Olmert formally resigned his office in a letter submitted to President Shimon Peres, and the following day Peres formally asked Livni to form a new government.[37][38] Livni faced tough negotiations with Kadima's coalition partners, particularly the Shas party, which had set conditions for joining a Livni government.[39][40][41] Likud, the main opposition party, lobbyied Shas and other parties seeking to bring about that result.[42]
2009 elections
Livni at "Thank you" party for Kadima volunteers, February 2009.
In February 2009 Israel held elections for the national parliament, the Knesset. Livni, foreign minister and head of the Kadima party, campaigned against Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party to lead the new government. While election results gave Kadima the most seats in the Knesset, parties to the right in Israel's political spectrum gained enough seats that a coalition government under Kadima leadership was unlikely. As a result, Israeli president Shimon Peres asked Netanyahu and Likud (which received one less seat than Kadima in the elections) to form a government; this is the first time in Israel's history that the party with the most seats was not asked to govern.[43]
Although it expressed some doubts, the influential Haaretz newspaper endorsed Livni for prime minister.[44]
Livni at "Youths for Tzipi livni" party, February 2009.
When Livni was tapped to form the next governing coalition, Palestinian political analyst Mahdi Abdel Hadi said that Livni has been received warmly in the Gulf and that she is the leader most Arabs want to see as Israel's next prime minister.[45] During 2009 general elections, Arab media depicted her very negatively but as the lesser of the evils.[46][47]
Opposition leader
After an internal Foreign Ministry document stated that some European Union countries were considering freezing a planned upgrade in relations with Israel, Livni, as opposition leader, wrote in the message addressed to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, the EU's external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and the EU's current council president, Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg. "You all know my commitment to peace between Israel and its neighbors and to the two-state solution, a commitment shared with the majority of the Israeli public," the opposition chief said. "I believe that this kind of attitude, one which directly links an upgrade in relations with regional diplomatic progress, is overlooking the substantial gains that the upgrade could provide both to the people of Israel and the people of Europe."[48]
On May 25, 2009, Livni told Harvard University students: "On the Iranian issue, there is no opposition or coalition in Israel." Watch
Prior to Lebanon's 2009 general elections (and its inclusion of Hezbollah), Livni "acknowledged an important principle" from U.S. President Barack Obama's then-recent speech in Cairo that “Elections alone do not make true democracy.” She explained her position in a New York Times op-ed by alluding to her experience as Israel's justice minister as Hamas participated in Palestinian elections in 2006: "At the time, the counterargument was that the very participation in elections would act as a moderating force on extremist groups. With more accountability, such groups would be tempted to abandon their militant approach in favor of a purely political platform. But this analysis ignored the possibility that some radical groups sought participation in the democratic process not to forsake their violent agenda but to advance it." Livni advocated that "the international community must adopt at the global level what true democracies apply at the national one — a universal code for participation in democratic elections. This would include requiring every party running for office to renounce violence, pursue its aims by peaceful means and commit to binding laws and international agreements." She added that "The intent here is not to stifle disagreement, exclude key actors from the political process or suggest that democracy be uniform and disregard local cultures and values."[49]
Livni voiced support for Israel's gay community ahead of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in June 2009. She addressed an event held at the gay community's municipal center in Tel Aviv's Meir Park.[50][51] After a 1 August 2009 attack on a gay youth center that left 2 people dead and 15 people wounded in Tel Aviv, Livni, who is in contact with the gay and lesbian community, said "This event should shake up society, and all the circles inherent in it, including the political establishment and the education system, and on this day deliver an unequivocal message against intolerance, incitement and violence, and to act against any manifestation of these." She attended a rally near the location of the attack along with hundreds of Israelis and some other politicians and urged Israel's gay and lesbian community to continue living their lives, despite the "hate crime."[52]
On 8 October 2009, Livni was honored as a by Yale University as a Chubb Fellow for her work and the inspiration spurred by her activities. She is the third Israeli leader to receive this honor after Shimon Peres and Moshe Dayan. The list also includes former US President Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Livni referred to the Goldstone Report accusing Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza and said there was a huge ethical gap between those seeking to murder children in their homes and those unintentionally harming civilians used by terrorists as human shields. Addressing the peace process, she said Israel is not involved in it as a favor to anyone, but that it is in the interest of all parties. At her next top in Miami, Livni will become the first Israeli woman to receive the International Hall of Fame Award from the International Women's Forum.[12][13]]
Criticism
During the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict, Livni was criticized by Arab League Chairman Amre Moussa as, "I am greatly surprised by, and I reject, the words of the Israeli foreign minister (Livni), who asks: 'Is there a humanitarian crisis? There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza.' "[53] Livni was quoted as saying "Israel has been supplying comprehensive humanitarian aid to the Strip... and has even been stepping this up by the day."[54] Israel would later allow a daily three-hour truce during the offensive to enable aid to flow through a humanitarian corridor.
References
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- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ a b Israel's Mrs. Clean
- ^ Isabel Kershner (October 26, 2008). "As Israeli Elections Are Called, Livni Is Assessed". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/27/world/middleeast/27israel.html.
- ^ Government 31 The Knesset
- ^ "Kadima Party". http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Politics/sharonnewparty.html. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
- ^ "Next in Line". Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article1733971.ece. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
- ^ News in Brief Haaretz
- ^ [4]
- ^ Mahnaimi, Uzi (2009-02-15). "Looking for love: Livni the lonely spy". The Sunday Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5733800.ece. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
- ^ "Livni's past in Mossad not spectacular". Jerusalem Post. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331060828&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- ^ "Tzipi Livni Knesset Biography". Knesset. http://www.knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=213. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
- ^ Cohen, Roger (2007-07-07). "Her Jewish State". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/magazine/08livni-t.html?pagewanted=5&ei=5088&en=d8b4df055b5d201f&ex=1341547200&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss. Retrieved 2007-08-07. "Mirla Gal, who would reach the top of the Mossad during a 20-year career, met Livni in first grade. [...] “We were curious because her world wasn’t ours,” Gal said over lunch at a beachfront Tel Aviv restaurant. “Even then she was principled. When I was 12, she turned vegetarian and has been ever since.”"
- ^ Tzipi Livni Knesset website
- ^ "Tzipi Livni Government Roles". http://www.knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=213. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
- ^ Behind the Lines: And who, may we ask, is Tzipi Livni? Jerusalem Post, Accessed 30 April 2007
- ^ Cohen, Roger (2007-07-08). "Her Jewish State". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/magazine/08livni-t.html?pagewanted=8&_r=4&ref=magazine. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ Macintyre, Donald (2008-08-02). "Tzipi Livni: Agent of change". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/tzipi-livni-agent-of-change-883276.html. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ a b "Tzipi Livni (1958- )". Jewish Virtual Library. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/TLivni.html. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ "Tzipi Livni Named Vice Premier in Israel". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/01/AR2006050100298.html. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
- ^ Condoleezza Rice. "Tzipi Livni". Time. http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1615513_1614647,00.html. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
- ^ #40 Tzipora Livni Forbes, 31 August, 2006
- ^ The 100 Most Powerful Women Forbes, 30 August 2007
- ^ The Most Powerful 100 Women sorted by rank Forbes, 27 August, 2008
- ^ Journal of International Criminal Justice Advance Access published online on December 15, 2006, Oxford University press, The Multifaceted Criminal Notion of Terrorism in International Law by Antonio Cassese
- ^ Benn, Aluf (2007-07-08). "Livni and Fayad meet, discuss improving Palestinians' lives". Haaretz. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/879606.html. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ Olmert's Survival Prospects Dim Amid Livni Challenge Bloomberg, 3 May, 2007
- ^ "'I have the qualifications to be PM'". Jerusalem Post. 2008-07-29. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331132203&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ Verter, Yossi; Mazal Mualem (2007-05-02). "PM Olmert to tell deputy Livni: Stop undermining me, or resign". Haaretz. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/854647.html. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ Israel Faces a Hard Sell in Bid to Shift Policy
- ^ Israel FM slams swastika image of Pope
- ^ Somfalvi, Attila (2008-08-01). "Poll: Livni beats Netanyahu, who beats Mofaz". Ynetnews. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3576298,00.html. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ "Livni to lead Israel ruling party". BBC News. 2008-09-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7620215.stm. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ Hider, James (2008-09-27). "New Golda Meir’ Tzipi Livni wins election to be Prime Minister after extra time". The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article4776486.ece. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
- ^ Livni declared winner of Kadima election ABC 18 September, 2008
- ^ Olmert formally submits his resignation to Peres Haaretz, 21 September, 2008
- ^ Peres entrusts Livni with forming gov't The Jerusalem Post, 23 September 2008
- ^ Israel's Livni now in battle for premiership 1AFP, 7 September, 2008
- ^ Shas: If Livni wants a coalition, she must fulfill our demands Haaretz, 18 September, 2008
- ^ Livni offers Barak 'full partnership' in new gov't Haaretz, 22 September, 2008
- ^ Netanyahu asks Shas to back bid for early general elections Haaretz, 22 September, 2008
- ^ "Netanyahu urges moderates to join broad government". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 2009-02-20. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/20/news/ML-Israel-Politics.php.
- ^ "Livni is the preferred candidate". Haaretz. 2009-02-10. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1063037.html.
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6]
- ^ [7][8]
- ^ [9]
- ^ Tzipi Livni (June 5, 2009). "Democracy’s Price of Admission". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/opinion/05livni.html.
- ^ Livni, Clinton voice support for gay community in Israel and U.S.
- ^ ציפי לבני באירוע פתיחת חודש הגאווה
- ^ Ben Hartman (02/08/2009). "Livni to gay Israelis: Don't let hate crime stop you living your lives". Haaretz. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1104611.html.
- ^ Hamas warns of more hostages Sunday, January 04, 2009
- ^ [10]
External links
