Isaac Accords, Wave of IRGC Terror Designations Signal Deepening Israel–Latin America Ties

Ailin Vilches Arguello

Argentina’s President Javier Milei receives Presidential Medal of Honor from Israel’s President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, April 20, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen

As Israel deepens its diplomatic outreach across Latin America, a quiet but notable convergence is taking shape, with regional governments tightening security cooperation and increasingly aligning efforts to counter Iranian-linked terrorism and illicit networks operating across the hemisphere.

During a state visit to Israel on Sunday, Argentine President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally signed the Isaac Accords, a new framework aimed at deepening ties between Israel and Latin American governments while jointly addressing antisemitism and terrorism.

According to Toby Dershowitz, senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, DC–based think tank, this initiative builds on rising regional momentum for closer cooperation with the Jewish state and sets in place a framework for intelligence-sharing and coordinated law enforcement efforts aimed at countering Iranian proxy networks operating across the hemisphere.

Latin America has long been regarded as a hub for Iran-backed Hezbollah’s illicit drug trafficking and other criminal activities, which have been used to finance its broader terrorist operations worldwide.

“While just formally signed in recent days, there is already momentum behind some of the Isaac Accords’ goals,” Dershowitz told The Algemeiner. “Several countries have taken steps – including terrorism designations – to counter the Islamic Republic’s threat.” 

“The Western Hemisphere has been plagued by Iran-backed terrorism for decades and countries are increasingly leveraging support from allies in the region to address the threat,” she continued.

Modeled after the Abraham Accords — a series of historic, US-brokered normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab countries — this new initiative aims to strengthen political, economic, and cultural cooperation between the Jewish state and Latin American governments. 

During the signing ceremony, Milei described the launch of the accords as “a historic moment for our nations,” saying they are intended to advance peace through efforts to strengthen long-term regional stability, security, and economic prosperity.

The Isaac Accords “will not only strengthen the relationship between Argentina and Israel, united by shared values, but also mark a step toward a freer and more prosperous hemisphere,” the Argentine leader said.

According to a joint statement between the two leaders, the new initiative will focus on technology, security, and economic development, with an emphasis on deepening cooperation in innovation, commerce, and cultural exchange. 

It will also seek to encourage partner countries to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem, formally designate Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, and shift longstanding voting patterns on Israel at the United Nations.

Dershowitz explained that the push to formally designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its proxy groups as terrorist organizations — an approach already adopted by several Latin American countries — is central to strengthening states’ ability to investigate and prosecute terrorism networks.

She also noted that such designations facilitate cooperation with global financial intelligence units, expanding the legal tools available to track and disrupt illicit financing.

“Iran has a concerning footprint in Latin America. Some countries in the region face major Hezbollah-linked drug trafficking challenges and, as a result, exposure to illicit financial flows,” Dershowitz said. “It is no doubt part of the calculus that led to these designations.”

Since the start of the war in Gaza, and even more so amid the broader confrontation with Iran, Latin American countries have increasingly sought to align their domestic legislation with international sanctions frameworks targeting Hezbollah, Hamas, and the IRGC — all of which are designated by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Paraguay are among some of the countries that have designated Hamas, Hezbollah, and the IRGC as terrorist organizations.

More recently, Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago have also followed suit, proscribing all three Iranian and Iran-backed entities.

Once a formal designation is in place, authorities can immediately freeze a wide range of assets belonging to designated entities without the need for a prior criminal conviction. 

The designation also makes it a criminal offense to provide such entities with material support — such as funding, transportation, housing, or false documentation — while giving authorities additional tools to track and map a group’s logistical and financial networks.

Last month, Argentina also designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization, after previously designating the Palestinian group Hamas in 2024 and the Lebanese group Hezbollah in 2019.

After Iran accused Buenos Aires of “siding with the aggressors” and violating international law with its latest designation, the Argentine government declared Iranian chargé d’affaires Mohsen Tehrani “persona non grata” and gave him 48 hours to leave the country.

Under the stars on Mount Herzl, Israel marks 78 years of independence

Tania Shalom Michaelian

The 78th anniversary Independence Day ceremony held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 21, 2026. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.

Nobody was entirely sure the ceremony would take place.

Organizers had quietly filmed a full dress rehearsal days earlier in case renewed fighting with Iran made a live public event impossible. A fragile ceasefire with Iran and Lebanon was holding—barely.

Last year’s ceremony was canceled due to wildfires in the Jerusalem hills. This year, thousands arrived from across the country, determined not to miss the event.

What followed was one of the most emotionally charged Independence Day ceremonies in recent memory—a sweeping, two-hour program centered on the theme “Strengths of Renewal,” moving between grief and defiance, prayer and celebration, loss and victory.

‘This is what victory looks like’

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana opened the formal proceedings by framing the evening’s emotional stakes. Drawing on language from the Book of Esther—“and it was reversed”—he cited developments from the past year as signs of national resilience.

“When in the past year, in the midst of war, 20,000 Jews chose to make aliyah—that is what victory looks like. When in the past year 177,000 babies were born in Israel—that is what victory looks like,” Ohana said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who attended with his wife, Sara, delivered remarks via pre-recorded video, citing security concerns, saying Israel had “risen like a lion and fought like one” and had “struck hard at the regime of terror in Iran.”

Netanyahu said Israel is “stronger than ever,” praising what he described as major military achievements and the country’s alliance with the United States.

“Israel is stronger than ever, and together with the United States, we are leading the fight against the forces of evil in the world,” Netanyahu said, describing the current period as a “generation of revival” in which Israel is confronting longstanding threats to its existence.

He said Israel had delivered significant blows to what he called the Iranian “axis of evil,” which he accused of seeking to destroy the Jewish state. Referring to ongoing regional hostilities, he said Israel had taken decisive action to remove what he described as existential threats, including dangers posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

“In the War of Revival, in Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roaring Lion, we made major achievements,” Netanyahu said, crediting Israel’s security forces, citizens and leadership decisions with strengthening the country’s regional standing.

He highlighted new partnerships and diplomatic opportunities that he said had expanded Israel’s strategic position. “In every generation, enemies rise up to destroy us,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel continues to confront those threats with unity and determination.

Twelve torches, twelve stories

At the heart of the ceremony were the 12 torch-lighters chosen to represent Israeli society. This year’s group included figures from the military, medicine, technology, culture and public service.

The ceremony opened with two IDF officers whose identities were partially concealed for security reasons. Lt. Col. M., a former squadron commander involved in operations against Iran, dedicated his torch to the thousands of sorties flown in defense of Israel and to the personnel supporting those missions.

Maj. N., a combat intelligence officer wounded on Oct. 7 who returned to duty before being seriously wounded again, dedicated her torch to wounded soldiers “hurt in body and soul” and to those continuing what she called “another battle on the front of rehabilitation.”

Venture capitalist Gili Ra’anan honored Israel’s hi-tech and cybersecurity sectors while remembering his daughter Adi, who was killed in the 2018 Nahal Tzafit flash flood.

“She reminds me how precious life is, and how great is our responsibility to build a better future here,” he said.

Prof. Dina Ben-Yehuda, head of hematology at Hadassah Medical Center, dedicated her torch to Israel’s medical community and to her nephew Itamar, a Golani combat medic who fell on Oct. 7.

“To the compassion and humanity that are the most important medicine of all,” she said.

Tamir Atallah, a Druze IDF officer who coordinated emergency relief efforts for Druze communities affected by violence in Syria, emphasized the partnership between Israel’s Jewish and Druze citizens.

“A covenant of partnership, loyalty and shared fate—a bond we are obligated to guard with all our strength,” he said.

Ora Hatan of Moshav Shetula, who remained in the northern border community throughout Hezbollah attacks while preparing meals for soldiers, dedicated her torch to residents determined to remain in the north.

“It is forbidden for us to ever lose the north,” she said. “And to our children—the generation of tomorrow who dream that the Galilee will bloom again. And it will.”

Chef Asaf Granit honored Jerusalem and Israel’s culinary sector, which has continued operating despite years of conflict and economic strain.

Roni Insaz, born in Tehran and brought to Israel after secretly assisting Jewish prisoners within Iran’s judicial system, addressed the Iranian people directly.

“The vast majority love the Jewish people and dream of freedom,” he said. “May we merit seeing the dark regime fall.”

One of the most emotional moments came when Talik Gvili lit a torch in memory of her son, Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili, whose remains were returned from Gaza. She was joined by Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch, who served as coordinator for captives and missing persons.

“Know this—we are here, and we will remain here forever,” she said.

Filmmaker Moshe Adri dedicated his torch to Israel’s cultural creators and to young people in the country’s geographic and social periphery.

“Believe in yourselves, because there is no force stronger than determination, faith and the passion to turn imagination into reality,” he said.

Rabbi Avraham Zariv, a rabbinical judge and reservist armored bulldozer operator in Gaza, dedicated his torch to the privilege of serving both through Torah scholarship and military duty.

Fighter Ari Shpitz, who lost both legs and an arm when a booby-trapped structure exploded in Gaza, dedicated his torch to wounded soldiers.

“This is another war,” he said, “and in it too, we have no choice but to win.”

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Argentina’s President Javier Milei sings at the 78th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 21, 2026. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.Chaim Goldberg/Flash90

Special guest appearance

The ceremony concluded with an appearance by Argentine President Javier Milei, one of Israel’s most outspoken international supporters. Joining performers in a rendition of the Spanish song “Libre,” Milei later delivered remarks in Spanish reflecting on the symbolism of the torch.

“The passage from darkness to light is painful,” he said. “Creating light requires great and difficult toil.”

He concluded in Hebrew: “Am Yisrael Chai. L’tiferet Medinat Yisrael.”

‘Do not fear, Israel’

Musical performances throughout the evening reflected the country’s emotional journey over the past year. Singer Ben Tzur performed “Abba” accompanied by recordings from battlefield communications. Amir Dadon sang alongside wounded IDF soldiers. Veteran singer Yehoram Gaon performed “Lo Tenatzchu Oti” (“You Will Not Defeat Me”), while Eden Golan, Israel’s 2024 Eurovision representative, received a standing ovation.

The ceremony concluded with Sasson Ifram Shaulov performing “Al Tira Yisrael” (“Do Not Fear, Israel”), bringing the audience to its feet.

The traditional flagbearers’ display formed images including a Star of David, a map of Israel and the number 78, before the ceremony concluded with the singing of Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah.”

Iran retains thousands of missiles, ability to reactivate launchers – report

JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Mockups of domestically-made Iranian missiles are displayed at an exhibition outside the Defence Museum in Tehran on March 31, 2026. / (photo credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Iranian Basij militia members display their drones during military manoeuvres on January 10, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. (credit: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Citing Israeli officials, the report stated that Iran can not currently manufacture more missiles, noting that Israel was able to reduce Iran’s firing capabilities to between 10 and 15 daily missiles so soon after the war began, compared to the dozens fired daily during the first few days of the operation.

Hegseth: US achieved ‘decisive victory’ in Iran

Newest Members of the IDF’s Ultra-Orthodox Hasmonean Brigade Get Their Berets

Shiryn Ghermezian

Illustrative: Members of the Hasmonean Brigade during their beret ceremony at the Western Wall on Aug. 6, 2024. Photo: Screenshot

The third set of soldiers in the Hasmonean Brigade, the Israel Defense Force’s first ultra-Orthodox brigade, completed eight months of training earlier this month and received their dark blue berets at the end of a beret march of approximately 40 kilometers, according to the Israeli news outlet Walla.

The troops will join the regular forces of the Hasmonean Brigade, which was established in 2024 and has participated in military operations in Syria, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and southern Lebanon. Members of the brigade live an ultra-Orthodox lifestyle, and their blue berets reportedly symbolize the sky. The brigade is named after the Hasmonean Jewish dynasty that ruled Judea, and liberated Jerusalem and the Temple from oppressive Greek rule.

In February, members of the Hasmonean Brigade’s Yonatan Battalion completed its first-ever battalion-level exercise in the Golan Heights area, “marking the conclusion of the battalion’s operational certification process and its preparation for operational activity,” according to the military. During the exercise, the soldiers were trained in combat in open terrain, targeted operations, and urban warfare scenarios. It took place mere weeks after the start of the Israel-Iran war, also known as Operation Roaring Lion.

“You can be ultra-Orthodox and be a combat soldier – you are making history,” Commander of the Ground Forces, Major General Nadav Lotan, said at the time. “The Hasmonean Brigade continues to establish itself as a combat brigade within the ground forces. This exercise, along with the establishment of the battalions, marks another significant step forward. I am proud of you – the brigade’s troops and commanders. You operate at a high operational standard while preserving your unique identity.”