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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Also available on YouTube @The Israel Brief  – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.

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

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Articles

(1)

PUTTING OUT FIRES

Crazy coalition adds to PM Netanyahu’s woes – and ours!

By David E. Kaplan

With major threats facing the country – from existential to economic – look at the crazy coalition initiatives that Israeli PM has had to waste time on! When firefighters and arsonists are one and the same, it’s time for ‘We the people’ to worry!

PUTTING OUT FIRES

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(2)

IHRA’s SUCCESS AND DIFFICULT DILEMMA

Deny and distort, countries escape culpability for mass murder of Jews

By Dr. Efraim Zuroff

Despite distorting history to cover up its complicity in the mass murder of Jews during the Holocaust, Croatia will ascend to the Presidency of IHRA, whose mission is to strengthen Holocaust education. How do some of the worst offenders of Holocaust distortion remain “good standing” members of IHRA, while suppressing the truth of their country’s murderous collaboration?

IHRA’s SUCCESS AND DIFFICULT DILEMMA

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(3)

THE ARAB VOICE – JANUARY 2023

A selection of opinions and analysis from the Arab media

Two Arab writers opining on Middle East issues, address Israel in the aftermath of is national election and Lebanon, with Beirut Airport threatened by seagulls, a metaphor of the country today – ‘for the birds’.

THE ARAB VOICE – JANUARY 2023

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

To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@gmail.com

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).

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

Home

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

To subscribe via email please send a mail noting your request to: layotland@gmail.com 

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Twitter: Lay Of The Land – @layoftheland5

Also available on YouTube @The Israel Brief  – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.

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

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As terrorists struck again in Jerusalem and a nation mourns,  let ‘HOPE’ not join in the list of casualties. While appalled at the loss of life and injuries caused by Arab terrorists all within 24 hours in Jerusalem, let us remind that it was and Arab paramedic, Fadi Dekidek, who was among the first to arrive at both the scenes and treat the wounded. Ignoring “all the whispers”, Fadi told Ynet news, “Saving lives is what I have in mind.” Saving lives and those of the future should be on all our minds.

Articles

(1)

MORE THAN JUST A “NOISE”

The streets in Tel Aviv are getting more crowded – in protest!

By David E. Kaplan

Israel does not have the two-tier branches of government – an upper or lower house – so characteristic of democracies. We have only one house – the Knesset – hence the importance of an independent Supreme Court to provide the checks and balances. To safeguard Israeli democracy should the SC not be protected instead of assaulted?

MORE THAN JUST A “NOISE”

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(2)

A TALE OF TWO NARRATIVES

In their eagerness to quickly claim a narrative win, these two examples show how powerful a tool propaganda is.

By Rolene Marks

From the media’s coverage of the death of Shireen Abu Akleh caught in a crossfire to the media frenzy of the Harry and Megha behind the Royal curtains tell-all, truth is sacrificed in the battle for the narrative. The consequences, warns the writer, “are dangerous because they create more divisions and more suspicions”.

A TALE OF TWO NARRATIVES

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(3)

WHAT’S NEW IN THE CITY OF DAVID

Step below modern Jerusalem to enter ancient Jerusalem and walk in the footsteps of  the pilgrims

By Jonathan Feldstein

“What’s new?” is so OLD! Yes, the road used by ancient Jewish pilgrims to reach the Temple – mostly during the main festivals – is being presently unearthed and literally step-by-step opened to the public. Join the writer on an exciting tour and discover what was life like in Jerusalem 2000 years ago.

WHAT’S NEW IN THE CITY OF DAVID

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

To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@gmail.com

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).

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

Home

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

To subscribe via email please send a mail noting your request to: layotland@gmail.com 

Please visit/ join/follow our social media platforms:

 Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: Lay Of The Land – @layoftheland5

Also available on YouTube @The Israel Brief  – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.

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

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Articles

(1)

WHAT DO ISRAEL’S PM AND US HOUSE LEADER HAVE IN COMMON?

Both are captives – but so are we

By David E. Kaplan

Having made deals with the extreme right who hold disturbing visions for their country’s future, both the new US House speaker and Israel’s Prime Minister are captive to their most radical fringe. Sadly, so are we!

WHAT DO ISRAEL’S PM AND US HOUSE LEADER HAVE IN COMMON?

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(2)

SOUTH AFRICA DARING TO DISCRIMINATE

As the 2023 president of BRICs, should the ANC government not apply foreign policy consistently?

By  National Chairman, South African Zionist Federation Rowan Polovin

With its support for Russia in its barbaric war on Ukraine and Iran that executes protesters, South Africa ignores the ambiguity and hypocrisy in its foreign policy when it obsesses over the Jewish state.

 

SOUTH AFRICA DARING TO DISCRIMINATE

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(3)

ISRAEL PARLIAMENTARY SOVEREIGNTY – A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

A cautionary  tale from the South African experience

By former acting Judge, Lawrence Nowosenetz

Revisiting Apartheid South Africa’s devious legislative past to de-franchise “non-white” voters, the writer – a former acting judge – cautions Israelis to be on guard against the machinations of wily politicians who profess to “strengthen democracy” while act to undermine it!

ISRAEL PARLIAMENTARY SOVEREIGNTY – A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

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

To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@gmail.com

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).

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

Home

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

To subscribe via email please send a mail noting your request to: layotland@gmail.com 

Please visit/ join/follow our social media platforms:

 Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: Lay Of The Land – @layoftheland5

Also available on YouTube @The Israel Brief  – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.

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

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Articles

(1)

ISRAEL UNDER THREAT FROM  ITSELF

A ‘changing of the guard’ is set on changing laws  – a fear for the future

By David E. Kaplan

“HANDS OFF” is the message on the street from an ever-increasing number of protestors who fear the proposed “reform” of the judicial system will deform Israeli democracy. Interfering with the Supreme Court – asserts the writer – is ‘supreme’ folly.

ISRAEL UNDER THREAT FROM  ITSELF

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(2)

THE KINGS MISSPEAK

Questioning the claims by the King of Jordan to Protect Christians in the Middle East

By Jonathan Feldstein

While the writer’s father was “overjoyed to meet the King” mostly “because peace was coming” to Jordan and Israel, some thirty years later, the writer is saddened by the King’s son warning of “red lines” and directing blame exclusively on the Jewish state.

THE KINGS MISSPEAK

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(3)

IT’S A QUESTION OF HABIT

Some key ingredients to building lasting habits

By Justine Friedman

You are feeling “unfit, unhealthy, overweight or disorganised in your life” then you are not alone with most the population anywhere. Let the writer – who has over 20 years’ experience as a clinical dietician and a mindset mentor – guide you in pursuing practical and sustainable goals.

IT’S A QUESTION OF HABIT

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

To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@gmail.com

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).

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

Home

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

To subscribe via email please send a mail noting your request to: layotland@gmail.com 

Please visit/ join/follow our social media platforms:

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Twitter: Lay Of The Land – @layoftheland5

Also available on YouTube @The Israel Brief  – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.

Festive Greetings From Israel

Lay of the Land wishes a Happy Chanukah and a Happy Christmas to its Jewish and Christian readers across the world as well as a happy New Year to all.  

Lay of the Land will return in the second week of 2023.

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

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Articles

(1)

UN’SAVOURY

UN representatives downplaying terror when perpetrators are Palestinian and victims are Jews

By David E. Kaplan

How do the terrorist actions of Palestinian Ammar Hadi Mufleh attempting carjacking an Israeli couple then stabbing an Israeli police officer in the face while trying to grab his rifle, end up being described by a top United Nations official as merely a “scuffle”?   

UN’SAVOURY

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(2)

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CHANUKAH BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK

By Jonathan Feldstein

How would you relate the biblical story and explain the traditions of Chanukah to those unfamiliar with this eight-day Jewish “festival of lights”? The writer faced this question when addressing pastors from Africa who had previously no interaction with Jews or Jewish culture.

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CHANUKAH BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK

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(3)

A MATTER OF HONOUR

Film is a cry for justice and a demand for Jewish honour

By Michael Kretzmer

The writer’s film J’Accuse! includes several lists, notably an 80-name list of the Lithuanian murderers of his own family in Birzai. Fifty of these murderers “WERE NEIGHBOURS”. The willing collaboration of Lithuanians in exterminating its Jewish community can no longer be ignored. “Silence,” says the writer, “is no longer an option.”

A MATTER OF HONOUR

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LOTL Co-founders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche

To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@kenmar11

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).

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

Home

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

To subscribe via email please send a mail noting your request to: layotland@gmail.com 

Please visit/ join/follow our social media platforms:

 Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: Lay Of The Land – @layoftheland5

Also available on YouTube @The Israel Brief  – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.

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

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Articles

(1)

‘FRANK’LY SPEAKING

Recalling my interview with a foot soldier who participated in the decisive Battle of El Alamein 80 years ago.

By David E. Kaplan

If ever there was a battle whose outcome was of great concern to the Jews of Palestine it was the Battle of Al Alamein in 1942.  Their lives and the future of a Jewish state hung in the balance. The writer recalls his interview with the late Leib Frank who participated in this historically decisive battle.

‘FRANK’LY SPEAKING

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(2)

YE-DOLF UNHINGED

Kanye West or ‘Ye’ is engaging in a diatribe against Jews that even has white supremacists aghast

By Rolene Marks

While the convenient impulse is to ignore and not give oxygen to antisemites, Jews have leant the lesson – fatally – of passivity. Public debates with celebrities like Ye joining forces with other kindred antisemites promoting Hitler and spreading Jew hate cannot be ignored. The writer argues say “Nay” to “Ye”.

YE-DOLF UNHINGED

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(3)

THE ARAB VOICE  –  JUNE 2022

A selection of opinions and analysis from the Arab media

Arab writers opining on Middle East issues, write on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar unveiling as much a ‘clash of ideas’ as a clash of competing football teams.

THE ARAB VOICE  –  JUNE 2022

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LOTL Co-founders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche

To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@kenmar11

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).

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

Home

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

To subscribe via email please send a mail noting your request to: layotland@gmail.com 

Please visit/ join/follow our social media platforms:

 Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: Lay Of The Land – @layoftheland5

Also available on YouTube @The Israel Brief  – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.

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

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Articles

(1)

NATO 2023 IN LITHUANIA: RIFE WITH POLITICAL PITFALLS

With the shadow of the Shoah, NATO heading for an unseemly summit

By Grant Gochin

At the upcoming NATO summit to be held in Vilnius in July 2023, the government of Lithuania will likely take the foreign heads of state and delegations to the customary locations of national historical importance. But will they also reveal to these NATO dignitaries that these same sites hide the truth of collaboration of Lithuanians in the mass murder of Jews during the Holocaust?

NATO 2023 IN LITHUANIA: RIFE WITH POLITICAL PITFALLS

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(2)

FOCUS ON FOOTBALL

Watching the US Beat Iran from Jerusalem

By Jonathan Feldstein

Watching on TV the highly politically charged World Cup match between his native USA – “The Great Satan” – and the Republic of Iran from his home in “Little Satan”  Israel, there was far more at play to the writer then a ball traversing a green field in the brown arid desert of Qatar.

FOCUS ON FOOTBALL

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(3)

RUSSIA’S ‘DENAZIFICATION’ LIE AND THE WHITEWASH OF ROMAN SHUKHEVYCH

Journalist charged with spraying ‘Actual Nazi’ on a statue in Canada highlights Ukraine’s complicity in Nazi crimes

By Dr. Efraim Zuroff and Prof. Per Anders Rudling

While police in Edmonton, Canada recently brought charges of vandalization of a monument honoring Roman Shukhevych – a revered fighter in the struggle against the Soviets – beneath the veneer of the criminally ‘offensive’ red graffiti, lay the statue of a bloody mass murderer of Jews. The writer – a top Nazi hunter – breaks it all down.

RUSSIA’S ‘DENAZIFICATION’ LIE AND THE WHITWASH OF ROMAN SHUKHEVYCH

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LOTL Co-founders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche

To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@kenmar11

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).

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

Home

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

To subscribe via email please send a mail noting your request to: layotland@gmail.com 

Please visit/ join/follow our social media platforms:

 Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: Lay Of The Land – @layoftheland5

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

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JERUSALEM SHATTERED

Articles

(1)

FORGOTTEN HISTORY REMEMBERED

Ceremony at Johannesburg’s Jewish cemetery will illuminate ‘bloodlines’ between South Africa and Israel

By David E. Kaplan

A lost cornerstone originally unveiled by Prime Minister Jan Smuts honouring South African Jews soldiers killed in WWI, was recently found in the garden of a bowling club and is to be unveiled again, this time by Smuts’ great-grandson. What will also be unveiled are forgotten stories connecting South Africa and Israel.

FORGOTTEN HISTORY REMEMBERED

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(2)

‘RESCUING’ HOLOCAUST SURIVORS TODAY

Christians and Jews unite in providing a helping hand

By staff correspondent

Two organizations – one run by an Orthodox Israeli American Jew, the other by a Chinese American Christian – are partnering to help Holocaust survivors in Israel who are finding themselves in stressful situations. Let them not be failed again!

‘RESCUING’ HOLOCAUST SURIVORS TODAY

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(3)

THE BUBBLE HAS BURST

Three phases every healthy relationship repeatedly goes through

By Bev Ehrlich

How is your relationship with your partner? Ups and downs are normal – part of any partnership’s journey. A ‘relational coach’, the writer who from her own experience of once feeling “helpless” and “strained”, counsels the path forward to restoring a healthy relationship.

THE BUBBLE HAS BURST

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LOTL Co-founders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche

To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@kenmar11

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).

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

Home

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

To subscribe via email please send a mail noting your request to: layotland@gmail.com 

Please visit/ join/follow our social media platforms:

 Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: Lay Of The Land – @layoftheland5

Also available on YouTube @The Israel Brief  – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.

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

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Articles

(1)

KANYE’S ANTISEMITISM MATTERS

This rapper’s ramblings are serious and dangerous

By Jonathan Feldstein

As tempting as it is to ignore to the antisemitic rants of rapper Kanye West or “Ye”, with more Twitter followers than there are Jews in the world at a ratio of about 2:1, we cannot afford the luxury to ignore. A wizer world needs to stand up and say: “Nay to Ye”.

KANYE’S ANTISEMITISM MATTERS

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(2)

THE COVER UP

The hijab and the nuanced position of Iranian women

By Hügo Krüger

Having travelled across Iran noting the hijab’s enforcement differing from city to city and within family to family, the writer believes the upliftment of Iranian women will be driven more by technology and urbanisation than intellectual debate. “Encourage modernization” rather than “preach revolution” counsels the writer.

THE COVER UP

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(3)

THE TIPPING POINT

From Russia to Iran – will the rumble of their people lead to a tumble of their leadership?

By Neville Berman

From Marcos and Ceausescu to Hussein and Ghaddafi there comes a tip-over point when autocratic rulers cross a line and a repressed people rise up and answer – “ENOUGH”. With the present rumblings in Russia and the protests across Iran, should Putin and the Mullahs be worried?

THE TIPPING POINT

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LOTL Co-founders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche

To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@kenmar11

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).

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

Home

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

To subscribe via email please send a mail noting your request to: layotland@gmail.com 

Please visit/ join/follow our social media platforms:

 Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: Lay Of The Land – @layoftheland5

Also available on YouTube @The Israel Brief  – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.

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

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Articles

(1)

LITHUANIANS STILL DENY PARTICIPATION IN THE HOLOCAUST

By Dr. Efraim Zuroff

While many would believe that Lithuania “is doing an excellent job of commemorating the destruction of its Jewish community” the world’s top Nazi hunter today warns that “nothing could be further from the truth” and cautions not to allow the Baltic country “to whitewash their complicity in the murder of over 95% of its Jews.”

LITHUANIANS STILL DENY PARTICIPATION IN THE HOLOCAUST

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(2)

JEWISH PRIDE DEFIES THIS ANCIENT HATRED

By Alex Ryvchin

Fast forward from the writer’s youth in Sydney, Australia, where a neighbour would bellow night after night from his balcony “Hitler didn’t finish the job; I will finish it for him” to October 2022 with his 2-year-old daughter exposed to a large swastika scrawled on her childcare centre, the writer delves into the world’s oldest hatred.

JEWISH PRIDE DEFIES THIS ANCIENT HATRED

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(3)

THE OCTOBER I DIDN’T GET MARRIED

By Jonathan Feldstein

In light of today’s uncertain future for Jews in Russia, the writer reflects back to 1985 when as an American citizen, he proposed to a Jewish refusenik to help get her and her family out of the Soviet Union that was persecuting its Jews. With letters and calls monitored by the KGB, read this riveting account of “my little battle” seeking the freedom “of at least one family.”

THE OCTOBER I DIDN’T GET MARRIED

(Click on the blue title)

LOTL Co-founders 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).