Israelis can now read Playboy "for the articles" as a Hebrew language edition came to the holy land Tuesday.

Playboy has been widely available in Israel for years but this marks the first local edition of the magazine. It features Israeli models and articles by Israeli writers.

Owner and publisher Daniel Pomerantz launched Playboy Israel in Tel Aviv on Tuesday at a press conference, standing next to a tall model wearing the trademark ears and tail of a Playboy bunny.

Cover girl Nataly Dadon posed next to a big cut-out of the magazine featuring her on the cover topless in lacy underwear.

It's not clear how well the magazine will be received in the holy land where religious sensitivities are always simmering under the surface and observant Jews and Muslims live by strict modesty rules.

- Associated Press