Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met this morning, with Prime Minister's Office Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women Director Yehudit Plotkin, who asked leave to resign.  She said: "With the change of administration, I believe that it would be proper to pass the torch to somebody new, who will continue the momentum.  I appreciate the complete support and backing that I received from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, from the Cabinet, from the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and from women's organizations."  She noted that during her tenure, the Authority changed in order to emphasize women's leadership throughout the country and had been upgraded to become a leading body vis-?-vis the status of women in Israel.

Prime Minister Olmert thanked Director Plotkin, commended her work and wished her success in the future.