US, Israel congratulate Argentina’s Milei on midterm win
(JNS) — U.S. and Israeli officials joined others on Sunday in congratulating Argentina’s President Javier Milei on his party’s landslide victory in Sunday’s midterm elections.
Following drastic spending cuts and free-market reforms during the first two years of his presidency, Milei’s right-wing La Libertad Avanza party secured 41% of the vote.
Its pro-American, pro-Israeli foreign relations policy contrasts with the Socialist governments of Latin America’s other major powers. Milei’s party took 13 of 24 Senate seats and 64 of the 127 lower-house seats that were contested, nearly doubling its share in both.
The result is a vote of confidence in Milei’s plans to further slash state spending and deregulate the economy.
U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Milei on social media, saying: “He’s making us all look good.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar wrote on social media: “Congratulations to President Milei, on his decisive victory in Argentina’s congressional elections. This is a clear vote of confidence in his vision for the future of the country. I look forward to deepening the partnership between Israel and Argentina, grounded in our shared values of freedom and democracy.”
Before the midterm elections, the opposition had overturned several of Milei’s vetoes on spending, including of increases in funding for state universities, the disabled and children’s healthcare.
Panama launches parliamentary Israel caucus
(JNS) — Panama will be launching a parliamentary Israel caucus on Tuesday, in the latest fruition of faith-based diplomacy around the world.
The move serves as a counterweight to the international opprobrium of Israel caused by the fallout from the two-year war against Hamas.
“The formation of the Israel Allies Caucus represents a significant step in strengthening the ties between Panama and Israel,” said Panamanian Deputy Manuel Cohen Salerno.
“We will not only support Israel on the diplomatic front but will also advocate for Israel in Panama and throughout Central America,” added Panamanian Deputy José Luis Varela.
The two lawmakers, who will serve as Caucus co-chairs, are among more than 10 Panamanian Parliament members united in their support for Israel and by a shared commitment to the Judeo-Christian values.
The new caucus in the predominantly Catholic nation is part of an ever-growing network of 63 Israel Allies Caucuses around the world incorporating over 1,600 legislators.
“The decision of more than ten Members of the National Assembly to join the Israel Allies Caucus in Panama is a powerful testament to the unwavering commitment of Panama to Israel, especially in these challenging times,” said Leopoldo Martínez, Latin America director of the Israel Allies Foundation.
Iran seeks $170 million from owner of seized Israel-linked ship
(JNS) — Iran has demanded $170 million from the owner of a cargo ship it seized last year in Gulf waters over alleged connections to Israel, an Iranian judiciary official said Tuesday.
Islamic Revolutionary Guards naval forces hijacked the MSC Aries, a Portuguese-flagged vessel owned by Gortal Shipping Inc, which is affiliated to Zodiac Maritime and chartered to MSC, close to the Strait of Hormuz in April 2024. The ship’s 25 international crew members were detained, and some were later freed.
AFP quoted judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir as saying that charges had been filed and the case was before the courts, although no trial date has been set.
“A fine of $170 million has been demanded against its owner, of Israeli origin, accused of financing terrorism,” said Jahangir. He further claimed that Israeli billionaire and shipping magnate Eyal Ofer was an “influential figure” within the Israeli government.
At the time of the seizure, then-Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz slammed the move, calling on the European Union and the rest of the free world to immediately designate the IRGC as a terror organization and impose sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
“The Ayatollah regime of [Iranian Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei is a criminal regime that supports Hamas’ crimes and is now conducting a piracy operation in violation of international law,” he said.
ICRC en route in Gaza to receive remains of slain hostages, IDF says
(JNS) — A International Committee of the Red Cross team in the Gaza Strip was on its way on Oct. 30 to receive “several coffins” of slain Israeli hostages from Hamas, the IDF announced.
“The IDF requests that the public act with sensitivity and wait for the official identification, which will first be provided to the families,” the military stated.
“Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the deceased hostages,” the IDF statement added.
Earlier on Thursday, the Palestinian terrorist organization announced that it would be handing over two captives’ body at 4 p.m. local time.
The move “constitutes a clear violation of the agreement by the Hamas terrorist organization,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
Under U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, the Palestinian terror organization committed to handing over all 48 hostages — both living and deceased — on Oct. 13. While the 20 living captives were all freed that day, Hamas has been slow-walking the return of the 28 bodies.
So far, Hamas has returned only 15 bodies. Israel reportedly believes the terrorist organization can locate at least 10 of the 13 remaining bodies.
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder scoops up ‘Palestine peace’ sorbet after clash with Unilever
(JNS) — One of the anti-Israel founders of the ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s is striking out on his own over a politically charged frozen treat.
Ben Cohen announced on Tuesday that he is making a watermelon-flavored sorbet with a theme of “peace in Palestine.” He said that parent company Unilever and its ice cream spinoff, Magnum, “stopped Ben & Jerry’s from creating a flavor for Palestine.”
“I’m doing what they couldn’t,” Cohen said, sharing a video of himself crushing watermelons into juice. “I’m making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and for repairing all the damage that was done there.”
The watermelon has become a symbol of support for Palestinians and for “Palestine,” its supporters say. The melon’s red, green and white color scheme mirrors the palette of the Palestinian flag.
Cohen invited followers to submit ideas for ingredients and container designs and to tag “Justice for Palestine,” and Unilever and Magnum in their replies. Some users responded with artificial intelligence-generated designs for flavors like “terror misu” and “mintifada.”
Cohen’s move is the latest chapter in a rocky relationship between the Vermont-based ice cream brand and its corporate parent.
Tensions churned in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s announced that it would halt sales in Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. Unilever countered by selling the Israeli license, leading to years of legal and public spats.
