Tzipi (Tzipora) Livni was born in Tel Aviv to parents who were former members of the Irgun, a pre-state, right-wing paramilitary organization. She served as a lieutenant in the IDF and later worked for the Mossad.
A graduate of Bar-Ilan University’s Faculty of Law, Livni practiced public and commercial law for 10 years before entering politics in 1996 as a member of the Likud Party.
In 1999 she became a Knesset member for the first time on the Likud Party ticket. When Ariel Sharon became prime minister in July 2001, Livni was named Minister of Regional Cooperation. She went on to hold various Cabinet posts, including Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Minister of Immigrant Absorption; and Minister of Housing and Construction. In 2005, she was given the Justice Ministry portfolio.
In late 2005, Livni joined Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert in their move from Likud to the newly formed centrist Kadima Party, which she helped create. In May 2006, Livni was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, serving in that capacity until March 2009. She was only the second woman in Israeli history (along with Golda Meir) to have held the foreign ministry portfolio. She took over as head of Kadima in 2008, after a leadership race triggered by Olmert's resignation over corruption charges.
Despite Kadima narrowly winning the most Knesset seats in the 2009 general elections, Livni was unable to form a coalition government, paving the way for the establishment of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led government. Livni assumed the role as head of the opposition, and earned both praise and criticism for refusing to join the Netanyahu government.
Throughout her tenure as opposition leader, Livni has been outspoken in her criticisms of the Netanyahu government’s policies regarding final status talks with the Palestinians. Initially opposed to a two-state solution with the Palestinians early in her political career, Livni is now a champion of that policy. However, she has voiced her support over the government’s handling of the Iranian nuclear weapon issue.
While Minister Livni said at the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that the government's goal is to restart negotiations, other coalition members insisted a two-state solution was never an official government position.
by Barak Ravid 36 comments
Justice Minister says Yair Lapid's remarks on Israeli-Palestinian negotiations do not coincide with his party's prior election promises, do not further peace talks.
by Haaretz 10 comments
Religious Affairs Minister Bennett says Justice Minister Livni has scuttled a compromise plan over women's prayer at Jerusalem's Western Wall he claims is near completion.
by Jonathan Lis and Revital Hovel 1 comments
The Defense and Finance Ministries proposed making Palestinians pay more for importing and exporting goods; opponents say move violates international treaties Israel signed.
by Barak Ravid 18 comments
Religious Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett's planned regulations regarding Western Wall contradict the Jerusalem court's ruling that it is not against the law for women to wear prayer shawls and phylacteries and read from the Torah at the holy site.
by Revital Hovel 5 comments
A moderating force must stand against Israel's extremist cabinet, whose members have no qualms about sitting alongside Rabbi Dov Lior, a man who allegedly ordered the 'purification' of Temple Mount.
by Sefi Rachlevsky 4 comments
U.S. Secretary of State to depart in two weeks on his fourth trip to Israel; scheduled to meet Abbas and Netanyahu for talks.
by The Associated Press 14 comments
A referendum on a future peace settlement would polarize Israel, but at least the two-state solution camp would have to get up out of their complacency and fight to win hearts and minds - and a campaign budget.
by Don Futterman 11 comments
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's special envoy Isaac Molho also taking part in meeting with Kerry; Haaretz reported earlier that Netanyahu and his aides fear Kerry will accept the definition of the borders for a Palestinian state and the principle of territorial exchanges.
by Barak Ravid 83 comments
Justice Minister Livni and Prime Minister Netanyahu coordinate positions ahead of meeting; Livni says Israel to take tougher measures against perpetrators.
by Barak Ravid and Chaim Levinson 11 comments
