Day: June 7, 2026

Lay of the Land Weekly Newsletter – 07 June 2026

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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 –01-04 June 2026
(Click on the blue title)



Lay of the Land’s Photo Pick of the Week

BACK AT BEAUFORT

Beaufort Castle became the symbol of the final weary chapter of Israel’s long stay in Lebanon in the First Lebanon War.
Now, 26 years after Israel withdrew from the Crusader fortress – it regrettably returns.

While the castle was named bel fort or beau fort – old French for “beautiful fortress” – by the Crusaders, it is not similarly viewed by the Israeli soldiers who would prefer not be (seen here) patrolling its ridge. (Photo: IDF)



ARTICLES

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

(1)

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

Any deal that leaves Iran’s Islamic Republic regime intact leaves the threat intact.
By Marziyeh Amirizadeh

‘Dealing’ with Iran.  With the US showing it wants the deal more than the Iranians, the writer says this emboldens a regime, smelling weakness. A former political prisoner that faced execution in Teheran’s notorious prison, the writer understands firsthand who the US is dealing with and warns – “ACT don’t DEAL”.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
(Click on the blue title)



(2)

A FAILURE OF FOCUS

The ‘Palestine-Israel question’ has overshadowed the atrocities taking place across Africa.
By Kenneth Kgwadi

Death on its Doorstep. Why do atrocities in Africa involving millions of victims across multiple concurrent conflicts – characterized by mass killings, ethnic cleansing, sexual violence, and state-sponsored repression – not receive the same level of global attention afforded to the Palestinian cause?

A FAILURE OF FOCUS
(Click on the blue title)



(3)

PETRA: A WORLD WONDER IN INTENSIVE CARE

When international visitors disappear, nearly every segment of the local economy suffers.
By Motti Verses

Petra under Pressure. Behind the postcard-perfect image of one of the world’s most celebrated heritage attractions lies one of the Middle East’s most dramatic tourism crises. With the war with Iran, the writer reveals how since his last visit to the ancient city carved into rock (above), the conversation has shifted from expansion to survival.

PETRA: A WORLD WONDER IN INTENSIVE CARE
(Click on the blue title)



(4)

ONE OF THE SMALLEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, ISRAEL CONSUMES THE BIGGEST CHUNK OF ARAB DAILY NEWS COVERAGE

Media Watch:  Arab world is watching Israel like never before says Arab journalist.
Introduced by David E. Kaplan

Israel Intrigues. Israeli correspondents and spokespeople are common sights today of Arab TV news networks. From what possibly began as “know your enemy”,  Israel – “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly” – is today paraded and debated. An Arab journalist explains with warnings for Israel to head.

ONE OF THE SMALLEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, ISRAEL CONSUMES THE BIGGEST CHUNK OF ARAB DAILY NEWS COVERAGE
(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).