Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik has assumed the position of acting President of Israel while President Moshe Katzav takes temporary leave during a police investigation into sexual harassment charges.
“For the first time in 60 years of Israeli history, a woman is president of Israel for a period of time and she is a representative of Kadima,” Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in welcoming Itzik to her new position during a meeting of the Kadima party council.