Day: February 20, 2026

Lay of the Land Weekly Newsletter- 19 February 2026

Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscape Reliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond.

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What’s happening in Israel today? See from every Monday – Thursday LOTL’s The Israel Brief broadcasts and on our Facebook page and YouTube by seasoned TV & radio broadcaster, Rolene Marks familiar to Chai FM listeners in South Africa and millions of American listeners to the News/Talk/Sports radio station WINA, broadcasting out of Virginia, USA.

THE ISRAEL BRIEF –16–19 February 2026
(Click on the blue title)



TO ALL OUR MUSLIM READERS




ARTICLES

Please note there is a facility to comment beneath each article should you wish to express an opinion on the subject addressed.

(1)

CRYING FOR THE BELOVED COUNTRY. AGAIN

Diplomatic ties hit all-time low between Jerusalem and Pretoria
By Rolene Marks

Sacking Seidman. It defies belief that in a country beset with so many challenges, its government would rather place skewered ideological allegiances above the well-being of its citizens.

CRYING FOR THE BELOVED COUNTRY. AGAIN
(Click on the blue title)



(2)

‘COURTING’ ANTISEMITISM – THE ROEDEAN HIGH SCHOOL AND KING DAVID SAGA

A tennis match that did not take place between two girls’ schools in Johannesburg exposes attitudes and antipathy towards Jews.
By Marika Sboros

Tennis Troubles. Once considered a “finishing school” for the country’s future leaders, Roedean’s reputation may well be “finished”  having become mired in accusations of antisemitism for failing to honour a scheduled tennis match against a Jewish girl’s school.

‘COURTING’ ANTISEMITISM – THE ROEDEAN HIGH SCHOOL AND KING DAVID SAGA
(Click on the blue title)



(3)

BONDI SHOWED WHAT HAPPENS WHEN UNTRUTHS GO UNCHALLENGED

A mass murder of Jews on a public beach did not “just happen” –  When lies reign, death ultimately follows.
By  Allan Joffe

Bondi Beach Massacre. Left behind was more than people’s personal belongings but the end of a nation’s innocence. The dangers that lurk in the sea has been superseded by the danger that lurks on the sand.

BONDI SHOWED WHAT HAPPENS WHEN UNTRUTHS GO UNCHALLENGED
(Click on the blue title)



(4)

THE SUBVERSIVE HATERS

Roedean no-show at scheduled tennis match against Jewish Day School exposes deafening silence in mainstream South African society to antisemitism.
By Craig Snoyman

Sounds of Silence. The writer notes that while the Gauteng Department of Education is customarily quick to respond to racist WhatsApp messaging from white pupils, it was silent with no statement or
condemnation of Roedean’s antisemitic conduct towards King David School.

THE SUBVERSIVE HATERS
(Click on the blue title)




LOTL Cofounders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche

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While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

THE ISRAEL BRIEF – 16-19 February 2026

16 February 2026 – At last! Doctors without Borders backs up what IDF have been saying for over two years and more on The Israel Brief.



17 February 2026 – Warning: Sensitive content. Former hostage shares her account of captivity, will Hamas disarm and more on The Israel Brief.



18 February 2026 – Is war with Iran just days away and why are feminists silent about the violence hostages and victims of 7/10 endured? This and more on The Israel Brief.



19 February 2026 – Israel on high alert, Tucker in Israel and more on The Israel Brief.





While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).