Day: April 26, 2026

Lay of the Land Weekly Newsletter- 26 April 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 –20-23 April 2026
(Click on the blue title)



Lay of the Land’s Photo Pick of the Week

CEASE FIRE is now a ‘SEAS’ FIRE

Targeting Tankers. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off a vital waterway that normally carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. At least 22 civilian ships – tankers, container ships and  other bulk carriers – have been attacked. (Reuters/Royal Thai Navy, Media Office of Iraqi Ports, Mohammed Aty)




ARTICLES

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

(1)

THE HOUSE THAT ZIONISM BUILT

The Nation that roars like lions is powered by Zionism
By Rolene Marks

Grit and Guts. Brutally attacked, mauled and maimed, Israelis recover, rise and roar. The writer reflects on Israel’s history as one of resilience and restoration as it survives and thrives.

THE HOUSE THAT ZIONISM BUILT
(Click on the blue title)



(2)

WHAT HAPPENED TO IMRAN KHAN?

Khan’s detention has coincided with broader crackdowns on his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
By Michael Jankelowitz 

‘King’ Khan. Imran Khan hoisted by his team-mates after winning the World Cup in 1992, went on to become PM before ending up in prison. “Why,” asks the writer of President Trump whorepeatedly calls on Israel’s President Herzog to pardon PM Netanyahu,  is he “silent on the fate of this now imprisoned former prime minister of Pakistan?”

WHAT HAPPENED TO IMRAN KHAN?
(Click on the blue title)



(3)

CANCELLED CULTURE AT 90

Israel cultural icon Zubin Mehta, who turns 90 this week cancels all his 2026 performances in Israel over politics. Should the hotel that embraced him for decades memorialize his legacy? A personal view.
By Motti Verses

Maestro’s Misguided Message. Zubin Mehta’s enriching connection to Israel extended beyond the concert hall. For decades, that ‘connection’ was also embedded in his ‘home away from home’ in Israel, the Hilton Tel Aviv, where even a suite was once named in his honor.

CANCELLED CULTURE AT 90
(Click on the blue title)


(4)

BATTLE FOR THE LEGACY AND SOUL OF FAMED SOUTH AFRICAN JEWISH FAMILY FUND

Concerned directors, who are family members, have  taken three fellow directors of the Mauerberger Foundation Fund (MFF) to court for alleged serious breach of fiduciary duty, deliberate deception and mismanagement.

By Marika Sboros

Grandfather’s Glare. With Morris Mauerberger’s bust looking on, granddaughter Dianna Yach presents a million-rand donation from the family’s foundation to Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, who aligns with extremist Islamist jihadist forces that seek Israel’s destruction. Her unhappy family are going to court!

BATTLE FOR THE LEGACY AND SOUL OF FAMED SOUTH AFRICAN JEWISH FAMILY FUND
(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).