Last week’s visit by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was warmly received in Knesset and elsewhere, and the state leader expressed his unwavering support for Israel and his staunch opposition to the one-sided tainted Goldstone Report, which he stated attempts to delegitimize Israel’s justifiable response to Hamas rockets.

It appears that in addition to the prime minister’s warmth and commitment to Israel, there is also a large measure of admiration for the Mrs. Rivka Ravitz, the bureau chief of Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin. Mrs. Ravitz is the wife of R’ Yitzchak Ravitz ,who heads the Degel HaTorah branch in Betar Illit as well as the daughter of the late party founder, R’ Avraham Ravitz z”l.

Prior to his official appearance in Knesset, Berlusconi met with Speaker Rivlin, who introduced him to Mrs. Ravitz, his bureau chief, explaining the energetic young lady is 30, and the mother of 9 children. He extended his hand but it was quickly explained that Orthodox woman do not shake hands with men, which PM Berlusconi understood.

 It appears that really made an impression on the prime minister and weekend newspapers in Italy, providing extensive coverage of his visit to Israel, include statements regarding his warm admiration or the young capable bureau chief. The newspapers mention her age, the number of children, and her impressive capabilities, stating she is also an Orthodox woman who maintains her busy professional life without compromising her strict Orthodox religious beliefs.

R’ Yitzchak also benefited from the state visit, Chadrei Chareidim reports, after the prime minister instructed his staff to find an appropriate necktie for him. He was given one of the prime minister’s own ties, apparently of high quality.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)