Dalia Itzik / Knesset gets first female speaker

[Behind the Aegis]

If the Knesset approves Kadima MK Dalia Itzik as Knesset speaker, as it is expected to do Thursday, she will be the first woman to fill the role. As Knesset speaker, Itzik would also be deputy state president.

"Knesset speaker is a wonderful post and a very influential one," Itzik told Haaretz at the end of January.

Itzik says she is looking forward to revamping the position. Many Knesset workers have had reservations about Itzik's appointment, fearing she would impose harsher discipline on the Knesset and appoint a plenum director general.

Itzik wanted to be Knesset speaker for several reasons. First, she realized she had few chances of receiving a senior portfolio in Kadima leader Ehud Olmert's cabinet because she had lost her position as the ruling party's first woman.


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[bumblebee1]

1. Congrats, Ms Itzik

Good luck in your new post.