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Jun 19, 2024, 2:20 PM

Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, end your silence!

Minister Pandor, Please permit me a moment to speak to you as a woman who grew up in South Africa during the darkest years of apartheid through to the rebirth of the country into a proud democracy. A democracy many...

Aug 2, 2021, 12:42 PM

South African Israelis must lead the fight against the apartheid libel

Benjamin Pogrund, center, next to Nelson Mandela (courtesy Benjamin Pogrund)

Expats like me who marched for equal rights should be mobilized to stand up to the abhorrent BDS campaign to discredit – and destroy – Israel

Jul 17, 2018, 1:40 PM

An open letter to animal rights activists

A falcon found dead in a tree, tied to an incendiary device, on July 16, 2018, near the Gaza border. (Nature and Parks Authority via The Times of Israel)

Animal lovers, take note: using a magestic falcon as an incendiary device is cruel and unusual

May 23, 2016, 8:56 AM

A Tale of two countries

“It was the best of times it was the worst of times”. This missive from the author Charles Dickens got me thinking about growing up in South Africa during the Apartheid years and now living in Israel, a country...

Nov 30, 2015, 2:51 PM

Tribute to Maurice Ostroff z”l

The nation lost a passionate champion for Israel’s cause, who was also a valued and prolific Times of Israel blogger

Mar 9, 2015, 9:01 AM

Growing up Apartheid

To whom much is given, much is expected. I have been extremely privileged both in my career and as an Olah to not only have the benefits afforded new Olim but also the opportunities to understand the country from...

Feb 11, 2015, 6:22 AM

A WIZO Woman’s right to choose

The WIZO screening of '50 Shades of Grey' has some peoples' knickers in a knot, but we believe what you watch is up to you

Dec 30, 2014, 12:31 PM

We are taking our power back!

I don’t know about you but I am angry. Anti-Semitism has reached alarming levels on a global scale that we have not seen since pre-World War 2 and some of the invective is worthy of Der Sturmer circa 1938....

Nov 6, 2014, 6:32 AM

This BDS piggy went to market…

Someone once said don’t get in the mud with the pigs, because you both get dirty and the pig enjoys it. It would appear as if the BDS (Boycott Divestment Sanction) movement has developed quite an appetite for pigs. While...

Sep 15, 2014, 1:38 PM

Crying for the Beloved Country

Have you ever had that distinct feeling that you are living in some kind of Orwellian or parallel universe? Reading the comments and invective that has come out of South Africa since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge has...

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About Me

Rolene Marks is a freelance journalist. commentator and broadcaster, appearing on international radio, TV and print. Rolene Marks is based in Israel and serves as World WIZO Head of Public Diplomacy and the South African Zionist Federation spokesperson, both voluntary positions.