Eyeing Mrs. Clean

Israel | A lesser-known in the West, foreign minister Tzipi Livni is Israel’s leader-in-waiting | Jill Nelson

Israeli prime ministers have a relatively short shelf life these days—one more realm of uncertainty for U.S. mediators in the latest round of peace talks—and an ample supply of conflict and mood swings between "hawks" and "doves" on the part of their electorate. But the candidate favored to become Israel's next prime minister offers a unique reputation for toughness and flexibility—one that could reverse the course of stagnation under tainted or inept politicians.

Tzipi Livni, Israel's current minister of foreign affairs, is the first female contender for prime minister since Golda Meir. She was born in Tel Aviv to parents who were leading members of Irgun, a militant Zionist group responsible for the bombing of the King David Hotel in 1946. Her father was arrested three months prior to the bombing, escaped from prison two years later, and fought in Israel's war for independence. He later served as a Likud member of the Knesset, Israel's parliament.