Minister of Justice and Minister of Immigrant Absorption Tzipi Livni has been chosen as “Lady Globes” Woman of the Year. The “Lady Globes” Rosh Hashana edition is devoted to the 50 most influential women in Israel in 2005. Livni, who rose to the position of Minister of Justice this year, heads the list.
At almost the same time, Livni was handed the political hot potato of the year, becoming the unofficial minister for disengagement affairs. As the government representative on disengagement affairs, she was able to achieve purposeful discussions with important opponents of the plan.
Livni did not have to waste time learning her portfolio. She came prepared to the Ministry of Justice, armed with a well-honed philosphy and with a professional agenda that she was able to promote, overcoming political considerations, while successfully avoiding the maelstrom of the Likud central committee.
Minister of Education, Culture, and Sports Limor Livnat, Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports director general Ronit Tirosh, Minister of Communications Dalia Itzik, Check Point VP products Dorit Dor, TV producer Tmira Yardeni, IDF spokeswoman Brigadier General Miri Regev, First International Bank of Israel deputy general manager and head of corporate division Smadar Barber-Tzadik, Ashdod Port Co. chairperson Iris Stark, New Israeli Opera (the Israel National Opera) director general Hanna Munitz, Sigalit Landau, Shatil director Rachel Liel are also in the “Lady Globes” list.
"It's hard for me to enjoy the award, because of the obligation to prove to you next year that you didn't make a mistake," Livni said at the award ceremony. "Nevertheless," she continued, "I say in the name of all the candidates sitting here that it looks easy because they are all successful women and high achievers; but it's hard. The common denominator of all the women who get ahead and succeed is that they all encounter disparities and inequality. The way to overcome is to be confident in yourself that you are doing the right thing."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on September 22, 2005