AGP Executive Report

Gaza Life Under Fire: An open-air cinema has been set up amid ruins so displaced families can watch films, offering a rare pocket of normalcy in Sheikh Radwan. West Bank Displacement: Israeli demolitions in Masafer Yatta are threatening homes and schools, with families like 12-year-old Sundus al-Hamamdeh facing the loss of their safe spaces. Culture Under Occupation: The documentary NAZA by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor shattered Venice Film Festival records with a 24.5-minute standing ovation, spotlighting alleged AI-assisted systems used to target civilians in Gaza. UK–Israel Cultural Politics: Britain’s sanctions on West Bank settlements are rippling into diplomacy and public life, including the closure of the UK consulate in East Jerusalem and entry bans for MPs. Religion & Dialogue: The Archbishop of Canterbury met with the Board of Deputies to discuss Christian-Jewish relations and the need to include Israeli and Palestinian voices in peace efforts. Global Pressure & Trade: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas renewed calls to ban trade with Israeli settlements, comparing the issue to Crimea’s illegal occupation. Community Memory: 9/11’s 25th anniversary coverage also surfaced renewed debates about Islamophobia and the weaponizing of grief.

West Bank Sanctions Spread: The UK says it will ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements and target companies and individuals tied to settlement expansion, with France and Canada now following suit—an international coalition move that also frames the occupation as unlawful. Jerusalem Religious Life Under Pressure: Tens of thousands of Palestinians prayed at Al-Aqsa despite metal barriers and ID checks, while settlers carried out rituals at Bab al-Rahma cemetery under police protection. Gaza Civilian Toll: Israeli strikes in Gaza killed Palestinians including children and families, with reports of deaths in Khan Younis and shelling in Al-Mawasi. Education and Survival: UN and rights reporting highlights how Gaza’s schooling and children’s futures are being battered by destruction and displacement. Culture Spotlight—Film as Protest: The Gaza documentary “NAZA” continues to spark global debate after a major Venice standing ovation, with Israeli officials and critics denouncing it as “blood libel” while supporters call it a window into systematic killing.

Venice Film Festival: Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor’s Gaza documentary “NAZA” premiered in competition, drawing a record-breaking 25-minute ovation as it features testimony from 24 Israeli military and intelligence insiders describing AI-driven “systems of killing” and the euphemism used to estimate civilian deaths. Humanitarian Crisis: Fresh Israeli strikes in northern Gaza killed a Palestinian family of four, including two children, as reports also highlight Gaza’s worsening medical emergency and calls to open crossings for urgent treatment abroad. West Bank Displacement: UN-linked reporting says Israeli demolitions in Masafer Yatta displaced nearly 60 Palestinians, including about 30 children, after homes and essential infrastructure were destroyed. Culture & Education: UNESCO warned that attacks on schools are rising sharply, urging protection of education during conflict. Politics & Rights: Amnesty International urged stronger European action against Israel’s occupation and apartheid, including an EU-wide ban on settlement trade and targeted sanctions. Palestinian Leadership: Abbas warned of “dangerous escalation” in the West Bank and pressure pushing Palestinians toward emigration, calling for full implementation of Gaza’s stalled ceasefire plan.

West Bank Detentions: Israeli forces detained 100+ Palestinians across the occupied West Bank in a week, including children, women, former prisoners and journalists, with raids, home ransacking, and some homes turned into military posts. Gaza Strike Toll: Reports say an Israeli strike in northern Gaza killed at least four people, including two children, as the wider assault continues. Sanctions & Culture of Accountability: Palestine’s deputy foreign minister urged real sanctions and an arms embargo to stop genocide in Gaza and expansion of illegal settlements, while UK-led restrictions on settlement-linked trade drew fresh diplomatic backlash. Education Under Pressure: Ireland is reportedly rejecting more Gaza student visas despite scholarships, with critics calling it “scholasticide,” and UNESCO warns attacks on education are rising. Art, Memory & Displacement: A library exhibition in the US features “Displacement: Immigrant Portraits,” including Gaza, using art to humanize migration stories. Film & Testimony: Venice is screening “NAZA,” a documentary alleging AI-enabled targeting and mass killing systems in Gaza, with testimony from Israeli servicemen. Identity & Rights: UC Ethnic Studies Council called for a regent’s resignation over Islamophobic remarks, linking campus culture to how Palestinian rights are treated.

West Bank Sanctions: Canada, France and the U.K. moved to ban trade goods and services tied to illegal Israeli settlements, with U.K. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accusing Israel of “ethnic cleansing” and tightening arms-export rules—Israel retaliated by closing the British consulate in East Jerusalem and banning some U.K. officials. Diplomacy & Culture: Slovenia opened Israel’s first resident embassy in Ljubljana as pro-Palestinian protesters rallied outside, while the wider European divide over Palestine policy keeps widening. Gaza Digital Life: Despite heavy damage to Gaza’s telecom networks, Gaza Sky Geeks expanded co-working spaces powered by generators and solar, helping tech workers and freelancers keep building. Education Under Attack: Education Above All marked Sept. 9 with global campaigns spotlighting attacks on schools and learning spaces, including a “Crosswalk” visual activation in Paris and Geneva. Community & Activism: San Diego City College students rallied after an ICE arrest near campus, with MECHA and Students for Justice in Palestine leading chants for immigrant welcome. Humanitarian Pressure: Reports say Israel banned some UK-based aid groups from operating in the occupied Palestinian territories, raising fears of added strain on already vulnerable communities.

Education Under Attack: As the UN marks the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, a new report says attacks on schools and universities hit record levels—8,566 incidents over 2024–2025, with tens of thousands of children and education staff harmed, including in Palestine. UK–Israel Settlements Clash: Britain says it will ban imports from Israeli West Bank settlements and add sanctions tied to settlement expansion, calling it “ethnic cleansing,” while Israel retaliates by ordering the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem and barring some MPs. Diplomacy & Community Tensions: UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband rejects claims the sanctions endanger British Jews, after the chief rabbi warned of a “dark day,” as the row deepens. West Bank Raids: Israeli forces arrested at least 20 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank, including two children, in raids across multiple cities and camps. Gaza Strikes Despite Ceasefire: Seven Palestinians, including two children, were injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza, with reports of drone strikes and gunfire hitting residential areas. Culture & Boycott Politics: John Malkovich cancels an Israel performance after a false quote circulated by promoters, while pro-Palestine campus groups protest US legislation aimed at limiting college boycotts. Sports Solidarity: Forest Green Rovers says it will fly a Palestine flag, arguing football must speak out against human rights abuses.

UK–Israel Diplomatic Break: Britain, France, and Canada announced sweeping bans on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband calling the occupation unlawful and accusing settlers of “ethnic cleansing,” while Israel retaliated by closing the UK consulate in East Jerusalem and threatening entry bans. West Bank Human Impact: Reports describe Israeli forces demolishing a Palestinian community in Masafer Yatta (Khirbet Al-Tabban), leaving families homeless, as deadly Gaza strikes continue and funerals are held for dozens recovered from rubble. Targeted Accountability in Europe: A French lawyer filed a complaint seeking investigation of Itamar Ben-Gvir and others over alleged torture and war crimes tied to a Gaza-bound flotilla activist, as Human Rights Watch praised the settlement trade ban as a long-overdue step. Culture & Storytelling: The Gaza Cinema Academy launched at the Venice Film Festival, backing Palestinian filmmakers and youth dialogue, while a Ramallah market feature highlights everyday life and memory. Lifestyle & Public Debate: Adidas Arabia apologized after backlash over an ad featuring a former Israeli soldier, and pop-culture controversy around “Free Palestine” remarks keeps spilling into mainstream tours and headlines.

Palestinian Film & Education: The Gaza Cinema Academy officially launched at the Venice Film Festival, aiming to build sustainable film training and production in Gaza and connect young Palestinian filmmakers—especially women—with the wider international industry. West Bank Culture Under Pressure: On the first day of school in al‑Mughayyir, barbed wire and reinforced gates ring the playground after settler violence; teachers and parents say fear is now part of daily learning. UK/Europe Settlement Sanctions: British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced a ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, plus restrictions on services tied to settlement expansion, coordinated with France and Canada; a wider group of countries backed similar trade limits. Diplomatic Fallout: Israel said it will close the UK consulate in East Jerusalem in retaliation, while Qatar hit back at Israeli “hostile state” rhetoric. Gaza Journalism at Personal Cost: A Gaza journalist described covering the war while raising children in repeated displacement, calling reporting “the last line of defense for the truth.” Pop Culture Backlash: Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks at Ed Sheeran’s tour sparked petitions and public pressure, turning Gaza solidarity into a mainstream culture fight.

UK–Israel Sanctions: Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is set to announce a “comprehensive reset” with Israel, including tougher measures and a trade ban targeting goods and services tied to West Bank settlements—already drawing US and Israeli pushback. Settler Pressure in the West Bank: Near Ramallah, settlers re-erect tents and move wood to outposts around Deir Abu Mash’al and Al-Mughayyir, as land grabs and clashes intensify. Gaza Evidence Under Threat: UN experts warn that Israeli rubble-clearing could destroy evidence tied to atrocity crimes, while Hamas says efforts to remove and crush rubble aim to erase proof. Culture & Craft in Ramallah: A Ramallah market story spotlights Tatreez embroidery—how Palestinian women keep heritage alive through stitches despite displacement. Palestinian Students Targeted: A rights group reports Israeli universities expelled or suspended 100 Palestinian students for Gaza-related criticism and solidarity. Energy for Resilience: PENRA says about 60% of solar projects were implemented in two years, with new “Shamsi Palestine” steps to expand local power. Pop Culture Backlash: Macklemore doubled down on “Free Palestine” at Ed Sheeran’s MetLife shows, sparking petitions and celebrity controversy.

Gaza Humanitarian Reality: Israeli strikes killed five Palestinians, including two children, even amid a so-called ceasefire, as families mourn the dead and bury remains recovered from rubble. UNRWA & Rights: UNRWA’s acting chief urged international action to protect Palestinians and sustain services as funding gaps and restrictions hit healthcare and education. West Bank Hunger & Land Loss: Hunger is surging in the West Bank as families lose access to grazing and livelihoods, deepening daily hardship. Jerusalem Holy Sites: Arab ministers condemned escalating Israeli violations at Al-Aqsa/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and called for stronger international pressure to preserve the city’s status quo. Culture & Film (Venice): Venice spotlighted Gaza through film initiatives and discussions, while a Venice gender-bias debate resurfaced as a lone woman director warned of industry backsliding. Music & Public Culture: Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks at Ed Sheeran concerts sparked petitions and backlash, turning a pop tour into a culture-war flashpoint. Accountability & Evidence: A UN expert warned that Gaza rubble removal could erase evidence tied to alleged atrocity crimes. Branding Backlash: Adidas apologized after an amputee campaign featuring a former Israeli soldier drew boycott calls over Gaza-linked trauma. Diplomacy: OIC condemned Zionist plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza, calling them ethnic cleansing and a crime against humanity.

Gaza Funeral Rites: Gaza City’s Zeitoun families buried the remains of about 100 Palestinians, including 60 children, recovered from rubble after weeks of digging—many as fragments—while Civil Defence teams warn that Israeli restrictions and limited equipment keep the search for the missing painfully slow. Ceasefire Breaches: In the past day, Israeli strikes across Gaza killed five Palestinians, including two children, including a child hit in a classroom shelter in Deir al-Balah and a father and 9-year-old daughter killed in Gaza City on the first day of the school term. Regional Pushback on Displacement: Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the UAE rejected calls to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza, condemning Ben-Gvir and Katz’s proposals as violations of international law. Culture & Activism in Hollywood: At the Venice Film Festival, Susan Sarandon said her pro-Palestine stance is still costing her roles, while Macklemore again used Ed Sheeran’s tour stage to call for “Free Palestine.” West Bank School Year: The new school year opened in the West Bank amid checkpoints, closures, and a financial squeeze, with officials saying education continues despite barriers and demolition threats.

UNRWA Funding Crisis: Arab League chief Nabil Fahmy met UNRWA’s acting commissioner-general in Cairo, urging donors to close the funding gap so health and education services for Palestinian refugees don’t keep shrinking. Qalandia Training Center Seizure: Hashd called for urgent international action after Israeli forces seized UNRWA’s Qalandia Training Center in occupied East Jerusalem, warning it’s part of a wider push to weaken UNRWA’s role. Gaza Food & Mourning: In Gaza City, families held mass funerals for about 100 people recovered from rubble, including many children, while community kitchens struggle with severe funding shortages and reduced meal output. West Bank Settler Violence: US envoy Mike Huckabee visited Turmus Ayya near Ramallah and again called violent settlers “terrorists,” as Palestinians report ongoing attacks and fear of impunity. Church Attacks in Jerusalem: Palestinian authorities condemned an Israeli man spitting at the entrance of the Monastery of St. James in the Armenian Quarter, amid repeated assaults on Christian sites. Culture & Resilience: PNN’s “Accountability” highlighted Battir’s eggplant market as a living heritage project, and profiled Palestinian women and livestock targeted amid expanding settler pressure.

West Bank Settler Violence: US Ambassador Mike Huckabee visited Turmus Ayya and again called settler attacks an “act of terror,” meeting Palestinian Americans after months of assaults and vandalism. Local Safety & Daily Life: In Khirbet Umm al-Khair (Masafer Yatta), Israeli forces attacked journalists and Palestinian children at a playground, then declared the area a closed military zone. Humanitarian & Education in Gaza: Chechnya’s Ramzan Kadyrov said 430 school kits were delivered to children in Gaza camps, including supplies for study and creativity. Churches & Christian Communities: Palestinian Foreign Minister Shahin met a Churches for Middle East Peace delegation, warning of worsening conditions for Christians in Gaza and escalating violence in the West Bank. Solidarity Culture: Paper-kite events and pro-Palestine rallies spread across Europe, including Dutch cities and Stockholm, with messages for Gaza’s children and calls for sanctions. International Politics: UN-linked reporting and Gaza/West Bank displacement concerns kept pressure on governments, while UK officials faced backlash over claims about Gaza medicine access.

West Bank Settler Violence & Diplomacy: US Ambassador Mike Huckabee visited Turmus Ayya, meeting Palestinian Americans and families of US citizens killed by settlers, urging Israel to protect residents and calling settler intimidation “terrorism,” while also insisting there’s no plan for forced displacement from Gaza. UN Humanitarian Warning: The UN warned that Gaza and the occupied West Bank face rising civilian risks as winter nears, citing overcrowding, health strain, and continued displacement driven by attacks and access restrictions. Arab League Session in Cairo: Tunisia took over the Arab League Council presidency as delegates opened the 166th session, with the Palestinian cause and Iranian attacks on the agenda. Campus & Culture Politics: A US House vote moved to cut university funding over Israel boycott participation, while at Haverford College anti-Israel faculty said they’ll refuse recommendation letters for Israeli institutions on ethical grounds. Aid, Identity, and Daily Life: Gaza’s children continue to be injured and displaced, including two orphaned brothers from an airstrike, and reports highlight how aid and basic services are collapsing under siege conditions. Boycott Backlash in Lifestyle: Adidas faced growing boycott calls after featuring an Israeli amputee veteran in a campaign, with pro-Palestinian critics pointing to Gaza limb-loss. Protest Legal Battle in South Africa: Cape Union Mart protests resumed after a High Court interdict, with demonstrators barred from linking the company to genocide or child-killing slogans.

West Bank Displacement Watch: A UN rights report warns Israel’s “Operation Iron Wall” forcibly displaced the entire populations of three West Bank refugee camps, affecting 33,000+ people, cutting water and electricity, blocking aid, and raising concerns of crime against humanity and ethnic cleansing. Settler Violence in Bethlehem & Jordan Valley: Palestinian sources report suffocation from tear gas and sound bombs after settlers attacked homes south of Bethlehem, while in the northern Jordan Valley settlers stormed tents and assaulted residents. Jerusalem Holy Sites: Palestinian scholars warn of escalating Judaization of Al-Aqsa, after a large settler gathering at Buraq Plaza under Israeli protection, calling for urgent Arab and Islamic action. Gaza Politics & Security Claims: Gaza’s “Resistance Security” says Mahmoud Habbash’s statements about “collaborator gangs” amount to public support, alleging ties and services. Culture & Community: A “Sumud Fest” invites people to celebrate resistance, while international sports politics hits Palestine solidarity as Northern Ireland cancels Israeli athletes’ participation in a triathlon.

UN Human Rights: A UN report says Israel forcibly displaced the entire populations of three West Bank refugee camps—Jenin, Nur Shams and Tulkarm—during “Operation Iron Wall” in early 2025, with residents still blocked from returning; it warns of forcible transfer and “ethnic cleansing,” citing killings, home destruction, and cuts to water and electricity. Gaza Displacement Politics: Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir unveiled “Disengagement 710,” a plan to push out Gaza’s population via “voluntary emigration,” reviving fears of mass expulsion ahead of elections. West Bank Violence: Multiple reports describe Israeli raids and settler attacks killing Palestinian teens and damaging communities, including incidents tied to mosque attacks and livestock theft. Culture & Speech Under Pressure: In the UK, police raided an 84-year-old retired priest over pro-Palestine activism; in the US, a federal judge ruled Trump-era deportation threats violated international students’ rights for pro-Palestine speech. Boycott & BDS Crackdown: The US House passed a bill cutting federal funds to universities that boycott Israel, while South Africa’s court barred Palestine Solidarity Campaign protesters from linking Cape Union Mart to genocide claims. Sports & Solidarity: A Northern Ireland triathlon event barred an Israeli delegation, citing refusal to normalize Israel amid the Palestinian crisis.