![A Jordanian visitor scoops up water along the Jordanian side of the Jordan River August 3, 2010. The Baptism Site Commission of Jordan's director Dia Al Madani told Reuters TV on Tuesday they had not received complaints by Christian pilgrims that the water caused any type of ailment, or skin disease. Madani insisted that thousands who come to be baptised every month, do not suffer any side effects on their health. Jordanian officials have refuted recent press reports that the water of the Jordan River was h](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/RTR2H0AY.jpg/RTR2H0AY.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=LoV1Kslz)
![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
![A Jordanian visitor scoops up water along the Jordanian side of the Jordan River August 3, 2010. The Baptism Site Commission of Jordan's director Dia Al Madani told Reuters TV on Tuesday they had not received complaints by Christian pilgrims that the water caused any type of ailment, or skin disease. Madani insisted that thousands who come to be baptised every month, do not suffer any side effects on their health. Jordanian officials have refuted recent press reports that the water of the Jordan River was h](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/RTR2H0AY.jpg/RTR2H0AY.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=LoV1Kslz)
![An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boy dressed in a special costume as a soldier for Purim stands next to a group of adults in Bnei Brak February 23, 2013. Purim is a celebration of the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. REUTERS/Nir Elias (ISRAEL - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR3E6W8](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/ultra%20orthodox%20jews%20army.jpg/ultra%20orthodox%20jews%20army.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=NPdK4nup)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Outgoing Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz (R) sits next to incoming Finance Minister Yair Lapid during a changeover ceremony in Jerusalem March 19, 2013. Lapid, who once told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he didn't "know anything about economics," has a golden opportunity to push through much-needed structural reforms to lower the deficit and boost the economy. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTR3F6R5](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/04/RTR3F6R5-001.jpg/RTR3F6R5-001.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=QoV6W-3o)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Israeli Kadima party chairman Roni Bar-on (L) and Transportation Minister Meir Sheetrit attend a Kadima party meeting in Jerusalem January 16, 2006. Ariel Sharon's Kadima party named interim Prime Minister Olmert as its acting chairman on Monday to lead it into Israel's March 28 election, a party statement said. REUTERS/Chris Helgren - RTR1882C](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/03/1-RTR1882C.jpg/1-RTR1882C.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=-LN0s9Rd)
![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
![Deputy Defense Minister Ephriam Sneh in front of a large map of the West Bank during a press conference March 19 at which he announced the Israeli cabinet decision to go ahead with a further redeployment from 6.1% of West Bank land to be handed over to full Palestinian Authority. control. The dark brown areas show areas to be included in the redeployment in the northern part of the West Bank. The Palestinians will control 60% of their population but only a bit less than 20% of the West Bank land after the 6](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/03/RTXJMAA.jpg/RTXJMAA.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=MNww7Ni7)
![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
![Students listen to U.S. President Barack Obama talk at the Jerusalem Convention Center in Jerusalem, March 21, 2013. President Obama, delivering a keynote speech to Israeli students, said on Thursday that continued settlement activity was "counterproductive" to peace and urged Israelis to accept the Palestinians' right to self-determination. REUTERS/Larry Downing (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS EDUCATION) - RTR3F9ZD](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/03/RTR3F9ZD.jpg/RTR3F9ZD.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=fpItrDWm)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (3rd L) and Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon (2nd L) speak during the swearing-in ceremony, at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, in Jerusalem March 18, 2013. 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) - RTR3F5XR](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/03/RTR3F5XR.jpg/RTR3F5XR.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=rcogAFFo)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) gestures as he speaks during the first cabinet meeting of the 33rd Israeli government, in Jerusalem March 18, 2013. 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/David Vaaknin/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3F5ZH](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/03/RTR3F5ZH.jpg/RTR3F5ZH.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=Qoj-sVrL)
![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
![JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - FEBRUARY 05: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli president Shimon Peres pose for a photograph with the heads of the parties of the Knesset (Israeli parliament) during a reception marking the opening of the 19th Knesset on February 5, 2013 in Jerusalem, Israel.The 120 members of the Knesset included a record 48 new law makers. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/03/160769660.jpg/160769660.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=9tyL0dOU)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Head of the Bayit Yehudi party Naftali Bennett waves to supporters at his party's headquarters in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv January 22, 2013. Hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged the bruised winner of Israel's election on Tuesday, claiming victory despite unexpected losses to resurgent centre-left challengers. Netanyahu has traditionally looked to religious, conservative parties for backing and is widely expected to seek out self-made millionaire Bennett, who heads the Jewish Home party and stol](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/03/RTR3CTCV.jpg/RTR3CTCV.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=81gbMOnb)
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Mazal Mualem
In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
![Israeli Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu (R) speaks to Reuven Rivlin, Knesset speaker, as they attend a pre-election gathering in the town of Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, March 15, 2006. Israel will hold general elections on March 28. REUTERS/Gil Cohen Magen - RTR177A1](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/03/1-RTR177A1.jpg/1-RTR177A1.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=C14wj3Zs)
![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) sits next to Vice Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon during a memorial service for the late Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem November 2, 2011. Zeevi was assassinated 10 years ago by Palestinian militants. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ANNIVERSARY) - RTR2TIPX](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2013/03/RTR2TIPX.jpg/RTR2TIPX.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=pcDkhshq)
![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