![Former centrist Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni gestures during a news conference in Tel Aviv November 27, 2012. Livni announced on Tuesday she would challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a Jan. 22 election by running for office as head of a new political party she vowed would "fight for peace." REUTERS/Nir Elias (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR3AXEZ](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/1-RTR3AXEZ-001.jpg/1-RTR3AXEZ-001.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=nabKNQKR)
![Mazal Mualem](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-09/mazal%20book%202.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=28S04G5r)
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Mazal Mualem is a columnist for Al-Monitor's Israel Pulse and formerly the senior political correspondent for Maariv and Haaretz. She also presents a weekly TV show covering social issues on the Knesset channel. She is the author of "Cracking the Netanyahu Code" (published 2022). On Twitter: @mazalm3
![Former centrist Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni gestures during a news conference in Tel Aviv November 27, 2012. Livni announced on Tuesday she would challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a Jan. 22 election by running for office as head of a new political party she vowed would "fight for peace." REUTERS/Nir Elias (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR3AXEZ](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/1-RTR3AXEZ-001.jpg/1-RTR3AXEZ-001.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=nabKNQKR)
![Surrounded by security Deputy Speaker of the Israeli parliament, Danny Danon is taken on a tour of the Temple Mount or Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound the holy site for Judaism and the Islam in Israeli annexed east Jerusalem's old City July 20, 2010, during the 9th of Av day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second holy temples. AFP PHOTO/AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/1-102997245.jpg/1-102997245.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=lPXMxIuD)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Israel's Finance Minister Yair Lapid attends the opening of the summer session of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem April 22, 2013. Lapid is seeking spending cuts of 18 billion shekels ($5 billion) and tax increases of 5 billion shekels as part of the 2013-2014 budget framework, a spokeswoman for Lapid said on Monday. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTXYVXB](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/RTXYVXB.jpg/RTXYVXB.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=U2YQAz4z)
![Mazal Mualem](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-09/mazal%20book%202.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=28S04G5r)
Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) speaks with Knesset member Ofir Akonis after a non-confidence vote at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem June 8, 2009. Netanyahu plans to deliver a major policy speech on Sunday aimed at addressing U.S. demands that he freeze settlement building and agree to negotiations on establishing a Palestinian state. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM POLITICS) - RTR24G6O](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/1-RTR24G6O.jpg/1-RTR24G6O.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=tZtrO-oN)
![Mazal Mualem](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-09/mazal%20book%202.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=28S04G5r)
Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Israel's Finance Minister Yair Lapid (L) and Minister of Economics and Trade Naftali Bennett (2nd L) walk together during the swearing-in ceremony, at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, in Jerusalem March 18, 2013. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new governing coalition took office after a parliamentary vote on Monday with powerful roles reserved for supporters of settlers in occupied territory. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3F5XP](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/RTR3F5XP-001.jpg/RTR3F5XP-001.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=79vSCzbs)
![Mazal Mualem](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-09/mazal%20book%202.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=28S04G5r)
Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he speaks during a Likud party meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem April 22, 2013. REUTER/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTXYVXD](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/1-RTXYVXD.jpg/1-RTXYVXD.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=tqw2LCVj)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Israeli soldiers hold flags before placing them on the graves of fallen soldiers during a ceremony at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, ahead of Memorial Day, April 10, 2013. Israel commemorates its fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, which begins Sunday night. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ANNIVERSARY CONFLICT) - RTXYGCO](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/RTXYGCO.jpg/RTXYGCO.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=gpsG2Yix)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![A general view shows the newsroom at the headquarters of the Qatar-based Al Jazeera English-language channel in Doha February 7, 2011. As much as CNN capitalized on its coverage of the 1990-91 Gulf War, Al Jazeera English has won praise for its on-the-spot reporting and context about the Egyptian protests. It will be talking to U.S. cable operators about deals "in the coming days and weeks," Al Anstey, managing director of Al Jazeera's English-language service said in a telephone interview from Qatar. REUTE](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/1-RTXXKQA.jpg/1-RTXXKQA.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=yTmCMlsc)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Yair Lapid, head of Yesh Atid (There is a Future) party attends the swearing-in ceremony of the 19th Knesset, the new Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem February 5, 2013. REUTERS/Uriel Sinai/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3DDXV](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/1-RTR3DDXV.jpg/1-RTR3DDXV.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=RiYHr4hT)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Israeli soldiers stand in formation during a ceremony marking Memorial Day at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City April 14, 2013. Israel commemorates its fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, which begins Sunday night. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY MILITARY) - RTXYLKP](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/israel%20memorial.jpg/israel%20memorial.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=uSATt5pe)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks to U.S. foreign service workers during his visit to the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem April 8, 2013. REUTERS/Paul J. Richards/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTXYDPV](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/1-RTXYDPV.jpg/1-RTXYDPV.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=0tbQzuga)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Labour party leader Shelly Yachimovich gestures during a ceremony for Tu Bishvat, the Jewish arbor day, in Ben-Shemen forest, near the Israeli town of Modiin between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem January 20, 2013. Opinion polls have shown Labour, which ruled Israel for decades but now holds only eight seats in parliament, bouncing back to second place behind Likud under new leader Yachimovich. REUTERS/ Nir Elias (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR3COPJ](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/1-RTR3COPJ.jpg/1-RTR3COPJ.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=b58V7hav)
![Mazal Mualem](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-09/mazal%20book%202.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=28S04G5r)
Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics