Argentine police recover looted painting that was spotted in Nazi’s daughter’s real estate ad
(JTA) — After multiple failed attempts, Argentine police have recovered a painting that the Nazis looted from a Dutch Jewish art dealer during the Holocaust.
Dutch journalists first spotted the painting, “Portrait of a Lady” by Giuseppe Ghislandi, last month in an ad for a property being sold by a daughter of Friedrich Kadgien, a Nazi finance official who fled to Argentina after World War II. But when police entered the home to locate the work, one of more than 1,000 looted from the holdings of Jacques Goodstikker, it had been removed from the wall.
The police placed Patricia Kadgien on house arrest while searching for the painting. And on Wednesday, they announced that the family’s lawyer had handed over the painting to authorities.
“It’s in good condition for its age, since it dates from 1710,” an art historian, Ariel Bassano, said at a press conference where the painting was displayed, according to the newspaper La Capital Mar del Plata. “Its value could be around $50,000.”
The newspaper reported that authorities had found other paintings in the process of looking for “Portrait of a Lady” and are evaluating whether any others were looted during the Holocaust. Friedrich Kadgien was instrumental in funding the Nazi regime’s operations by stealing Jewish property, including by forcing owners to sale at depressed prices.
Colombia records huge drop in coal sales after banning exports to Israel
(JNS) — Colombia, Israel’s largest coal supplier until 2024, registered a nearly 50% drop in coal exports in July compared to the same month last year, AFP reported on Thursday, citing official figures.
Colombia’s Industry and Commerce Ministry in August 2024 published an edict to end coal sales to Israel, which was renewed last month by Columbia’s President Gustavo Petro as part of his severing of diplomatic ties with Jerusalem over the war in Gaza.
The Latin American country exported $479.8 million worth of coal in July, a 45.8% fall from the $885.8 million exported during July 2024, according to the National Administrative Department of Statistics, per AFP.
The report cited the collapse of prices and Colombia’s domestic policies as reasons for the five consecutive quarters’ contraction. In a push toward green energy, Petro has raised taxes on coal, as well as frozen several mining projects.
Latin America’s leading coal producer, which employs roughly 350,000, saw Petro promote agriculture and tourism as alternative sectors since coming into power in 2022.
“Here in front of you, the government of change, of the president of the republic, announces that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the State of Israel … for having a government, for having a president who is genocidal,” said Petro in May 2024.
Belgium will recognize Palestinian statehood at UN meeting, adding to pressure on Israel
(JTA) — Belgium has become the latest country to announce plans to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly this month in New York City.
In an announcement on social media Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot said the recognition was intended to “increase pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas terrorists,” adding that Israel has violated its international obligation to “prevent any risk of genocide.”
Prévot stipulated that the move will only become official once “Hamas no longer has any role in managing Palestine” and all the Israeli hostages are released from Gaza.
“This is not about sanctioning the Israeli people but about ensuring that their government respects international and humanitarian law and taking action to try to change the situation on the ground,” she said.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever had previously joined German leaders in saying that recognizing a Palestinian state before Hamas’ deposal would be “pointless.” But his government faced fierce pressure for action from its centrist and left-wing parties that was alleviated by Prévot’s announcement.
She outlined 12 “firm” sanctions against Israel and Hamas, including designating some Israeli ministers, violent settlers and Hamas leaders as “persona non grata.”
Istanbul governor cancels French-Jewish singer’s concert
(JNS) — The Istanbul Governor’s Office on Wednesday announced the cancelation of a planned concert by French-Jewish singer Enrico Macias, citing concerns over protests against what it called Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza.
Macias, 86, was scheduled to perform in Istanbul’s Şişli district on Friday.
The “despicable perpetuation of genocide by the terrorist state of Israel in Gaza and its supporters will place our young people in an unjust legal position and cause them grievances,” the Governor’s Office wrote.
Macias, a longtime supporter of Israel and Jewish causes, told AFP: “I have had the privilege of singing in Istanbul and Izmir for more than 60 years, cities I particularly cherish for their extraordinary audiences. I am deeply surprised and saddened not to be able to meet my public, with whom I have always shared values of peace and fraternity.”
Born in Constantine, Algeria, in 1938 to a Jewish family, Macias left the country in 1961 and has not returned since. “I still hold hope. If destiny allows me to return to Algeria, I will not refuse,” he said in an interview in 2023.
Istanbul Gov. Davut Gül has served in several roles under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who appointed him to his current position.
Erdoğan called Israel a “terror state,” accused it of committing genocide and urged Muslim nations to unite against it.
Three Palestinian NGOs sanctioned for working with ICC against Israel
(JNS) — The U.S. State Department sanctioned three Palestinian NGOs for working with the International Criminal Court, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday.
The three organizations — Al Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights — have “directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute Israeli nationals, without Israel’s consent,” according to the department.
“This administration has been clear: The United States and Israel are not party to the Rome Statute and are therefore not subject to the ICC’s authority,” Rubio stated. “We oppose the ICC’s politicized agenda, overreach and disregard for the sovereignty of the United States and that of our allies.”
The Jerusalem-based research institute NGO Monitor applauded the sanctions, stating that all three groups have links to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terror organization.
“For many years, these organizations have been centrally involved in lawfare, not only against Israel but also against U.S. security interests,” NGO Monitor wrote. “These groups have also issued numerous concerning statements related to violence and antisemitism.”
