AGP Executive Report

Venice Film Festival: Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor premiered “NAZA,” a Gaza-focused documentary featuring 24 Israeli military insiders who describe surveillance and remote bombing, with identities obscured and voices altered. Gaza Under Fire: Reports say an Israeli airstrike in Beit Lahia killed four people from one family, while UN officials warn Gaza’s essential supplies are running low amid funding shortfalls and restrictions. West Bank Detentions: Palestinian Prisoners’ Society says Israeli forces detained 100+ Palestinians over the past week, including children, women, former prisoners, and journalists, alongside raids and home takeovers. Diplomacy & Culture: UNGA held a special session honoring Qatar’s late Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, while Palestine’s deputy foreign minister urged sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel to stop Gaza’s war and settlement expansion. Arts & Debate: In the UK, clashes over Israel-related sanctions continue, with chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis drawing sharp criticism from Ed Miliband.

Gaza in Venice: Israeli filmmakers’ new documentary NAZA is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, promising fresh details on civilian killings in Gaza, while Netflix’s Fauda returns with Season 5. Cultural activism & backlash: P!nk is caught in a fresh online storm after resharing criticism of Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” onstage moment, as petitions and calls for tour changes spread. West Bank arts-adjacent politics: Israel’s “state land” declaration has been redrawn to add about 48 acres near Jalud and Al-Mughayyir, feeding fears of further cultural and community erasure. Tech as survival: Gaza Sky Geeks has opened new co-working spaces to keep Gaza’s digital economy alive despite telecom damage. Protest & public memory: A San Diego City College rally against ICE included Palestine-linked organizing, while Australia’s Palestine solidarity movement marks its one-year “Bridge” anniversary. Diplomacy sparks street art energy: Thousands protested in Ljubljana against Slovenia opening Israel’s first embassy, with banners tying peace to Palestine.

West Bank Land & Settlements: Israel’s “Blue Line Team” approved a net increase of about 179 dunams near Jalud and Al-Mughayyir, adding land for possible planning after a 1984 “state land” boundary revision. Gaza Ceasefire Violations: Gaza health authorities report seven martyrs and 25 injuries in the past day, with many victims still unreachable under ongoing strikes. Diplomacy & Culture Clash: Israel ordered Britain to close its East Jerusalem consulate within 30 days, while Britain, France, Canada and others move to restrict trade tied to illegal West Bank settlements. Education Under Attack: UNESCO and partners mark International Day to Protect Education from Attack, citing thousands of education-site attacks and calling for resilience, preparedness, and recovery. Music & Activism: Kid Cudi’s First Amendment fight with M.I.A. over tour removal lands amid wider Palestine-linked pop culture controversy. Arts Spotlight: Final Cut in Venice wrapped with Palestine-in-post-production projects, including a Gaza Cinema Academy push for young filmmakers.

UK Sanctions & Retaliation: Britain moved to ban imports and restrict services tied to Israeli West Bank settlements, calling out “ethnic cleansing” and tightening arms curbs—prompting Israel to shut the UK consulate and threaten further diplomatic action. Regional Diplomacy: New Zealand voiced deep concern over escalating Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, warning they endanger a durable peace and two-state prospects. Palestine Arts Spotlight: Gaza Cinema Academy launched at the Venice Film Festival, backing Palestinian filmmakers and youth dialogue; meanwhile, a Palestinian art exhibition offered a rare calm amid war. Pop Culture Flashpoint: The “Free Palestine” chant controversy around Macklemore on Ed Sheeran’s tour keeps snowballing, with backlash and celebrity reposts (including P!nk) driving fresh headlines. Campus Politics: Two new SRC presidential races in Australia spotlight Palestine-focused activism, while UCLA-related legal action alleges retaliation over pro-Palestinian protests. Regional Security: Iran escalated attacks involving a US base in Jordan and strikes at sea, widening Gulf tensions.

Film & Youth Culture: The Gaza Cinema Academy officially launched at the Venice Film Festival, building on a 2024 Gaza filmmaking diploma and aiming to create sustainable education, training, and production for Palestinian filmmakers, especially young women. Arts in Wartime: Palestinian artist Khaled Hourani opened “1030+” at Zawyeh Gallery in Al-Bireh, reworking Gaza photos to center people and offer a rare pause amid destruction. Music & Activism Backlash: Macklemore doubled down on “Free Palestine” remarks during Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour, sparking petitions and renewed pressure on Sheeran’s lineup. UK–EU Trade Sanctions: The UK, joined by France and Canada, banned imports and restricted services tied to illegal Israeli West Bank settlements, prompting Israeli countermeasures and warnings from the U.S. Diplomacy & Accountability: Haaretz reports the UAE warned Netanyahu about a major Hamas operation before Oct. 7, while Israel’s opposition leaders call him “unfit.” Human Rights & Access: The Red Cross says visits to Palestinian prisoners have not resumed, despite claims of imminent return.

Venice Film Festival & Gaza Cinema: Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon says her pro-Palestine stance is costing her Hollywood roles, while Gaza Cinema Academy makes its Venice debut to help Palestinian filmmakers tell their own stories. Music & Protest Backlash: Macklemore doubled down after backlash for “Free Palestine” remarks during Ed Sheeran’s MetLife shows, insisting it’s not an attack on Jewish people; Pink amplified the dispute as calls grow to remove him from the tour. UK Arts/Policy Spillover: Britain is set to announce wider trade restrictions and sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a move already drawing pushback. Fashion Spotlight: Olivia Rodrigo’s red-carpet dress for Ramallah label Nöl Collective highlights how Palestinian makers navigate destroyed shipments and movement barriers. Local Culture & Heritage: A Ramallah market piece spotlights Tatreez embroidery as living memory and resistance. Palestinian Students Under Pressure: Adalah reports Israeli universities expelled or suspended 100 Palestinian students for Gaza-related criticism and solidarity expressions.

Venice Film Festival & Hollywood backlash: Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon says her pro-Palestine stance is costing her acting roles, claiming agencies tell people not to hire her as her new film The Echo Chamber premieres. Music & protest politics: Macklemore’s onstage “Free Palestine” plea with Ed Sheeran’s LOOP tour has triggered petitions and calls to remove him, while fans and artists argue over whether stadium pop should stay “non-political.” Branding & boycott pressure: Adidas apologized after activists targeted its “single shoe” campaign featuring an amputee former IDF soldier. Gaza culture returns: Palestinian football marks a comeback after nearly three years, with the “Cup of the Thousand Martyrs” kicking off despite destroyed facilities. Arts for Gaza storytelling: The Gaza Monologues heads to Ireland, adapting Ramallah’s Ashtar Theatre concept to raise funds for displaced families. Ceasefire reality check: Israeli strikes in Gaza reportedly killed children and others even amid ceasefire claims. Media scrutiny: UN rights chief Volker Türk urged arms embargoes and warned of rights-system strain as reporting narratives face renewed criticism.

Gaza Recovery & Mourning: Palestinians held a funeral procession in Gaza City’s Zeitoun for 100 recovered from rubble, including 60 children, as Civil Defence continues limited, equipment-restricted excavations. Ceasefire Violations: Israeli strikes across Gaza killed five Palestinians, including two children, with attacks reported on a classroom sheltering displaced families and civilian vehicles. West Bank Settlements: Netanyahu ordered evacuation of some unauthorized West Bank settler outposts, reportedly under U.S. pressure, as settler violence remains a flashpoint. Venice Film Festival Spotlight: Susan Sarandon said her pro-Palestine activism is still costing her roles, while her Golden Lion contender “The Echo Chamber” drew an eight-minute ovation. Documentary & Journalism in Focus: Venice also screened “Citizen Osama,” a Gaza-set documentary about a father-journalist trying to survive and report amid mass destruction. Sports Return: Palestinian football resumed after nearly three years, with the “1,000 Martyrs Cup” marking a bittersweet comeback. Boycott Pressure on Adidas: Calls for an Adidas boycott grew after the brand promoted its “single shoe” campaign featuring an Israeli amputee veteran. Protest & Policing in the UK: Dover’s port blockade protest sparked anger over slow police response, with masked demonstrators halting roads for hours. Music & Activism Backlash: Macklemore faced renewed criticism after calling “Free Palestine” during Ed Sheeran’s tour.

Venice Film Festival Fallout: Oscar winner Susan Sarandon says her Palestine support is still costing her roles, claiming agencies “tell people not to hire me,” even as she promotes The Echo Chamber. Palestinian Football Returns: After nearly three years, Palestinian matches kick off again, with the “1,000 Martyrs Cup” marking a bittersweet comeback across the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon. Gaza Ceasefire Violations: Despite a fragile truce, Israeli strikes and shelling continue—two Palestinians (including a minor) die in Gaza, and multiple injuries are reported, including in Shati camp. Media Spotlight via Activism: Freedom Flotilla collaborators say Palestine is “back in the spotlight” as the ship stops in Bilbao, with talks and concerts planned before sailing onward. Politics Meets Art: A new PNN TV program, “PNN Accountability,” launches with field reports on everyday needs like emergency ambulance access in Beit Sahour.

Palestinian Art & Identity: Sliman Mansour is remembered in an artistic tribute to Palestinian identity, as the late painter’s work is framed as a refusal of erasure and a vision of equal rights. Gaza on the Ground: Israeli strikes and shelling hit Al-Tuffah and Al-Maghazi, injuring women and children, while Gaza civil defense reports remains recovered from a 2023 strike—another grim reminder of the slow work of searching rubble. Culture in Motion: Kathak meets grief in “The Absence of PRESENCE,” a new collaboration bringing war-zone emotion to the stage with the Symphony Orchestra of India. Resistance Through Music: Palestinian singer Saint Levant postpones a North American tour over US visa issues, while Palestinian songs continue to travel—from pub stages to festival circuits. International Arts & Solidarity: A Lebanon fundraiser tribute to Ziad Rahbani’s legacy supports humanitarian relief for children and orphans in Lebanon. Politics vs. Art: The week also saw culture collide with controversy, from antisemitism rows in US media to protests where sport and entertainment are treated as political cover.

West Bank Politics & Statehood: US-backed pressure is back in the spotlight as Democratic senators urge Israel to halt E1 construction, warning it could derail a future Palestinian state and sever the Ramallah–Bethlehem corridor. Settler Violence & Daily Life: On the ground in the occupied West Bank, bulldozers uproot olive groves in Arraba, with families reporting confiscations and ID checks during razing. Diplomacy & Security: US ambassador Mike Huckabee visits Turmus Ayya and calls for prosecution of extremist settlers, stressing Israel’s responsibility for Palestinian safety amid rising pogroms. Human Rights Under Detention: Gaza prisoner reports severe pain and denial of a specialist exam in Negev prison, while West Bank raids lead to arrests including family members. Arts & Culture: Palestinian football returns after nearly three years with the “Thousand Martyrs Cup,” and a Lebanon tribute concert honors Ziad Rahbani with proceeds supporting children and orphans via CC4P. Pop Culture & Solidarity: Macklemore delivers a pro-Palestinian speech at MetLife, and “Dammi Falastini” sparks dancing at a Hyderabad pub. Boycott Watch: Adidas faces growing boycott calls after featuring an Israeli amputee veteran in a campaign.

Gaza & Arts/Community: Palestinian football is back after nearly three years, with the “Thousand Martyrs Cup” launching across the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon camps, honoring athletes killed in Israel’s war. Music for Gaza: UK/Irish songwriter Paul Weller’s “Gig for Gaza” momentum continues as a Sept. 11 show at Grand Central’s Dome pairs Weller with Palestinian and international voices, raising funds for humanitarian aid. Sports & Solidarity: Northern Ireland’s City of Derry Triathlon removed Israeli athletes over representation and safety concerns tied to the Palestinian crisis. Culture & Resistance: Roger Waters is set to executive-produce a Palestine-related resistance documentary tied to Freedom Theatre. Local Arts/Protest: A West Bank village reports a familiar pattern of settler incursions under army protection, escalating into clashes and shootings. Media/Controversy: Jane Fonda defended Mark Ruffalo amid Paramount’s antisemitism accusations, keeping Gaza-linked culture-war debates in the spotlight.

Forced Displacement Watch: 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,” killing civilians, destroying homes, and blocking returns, raising alarms of forcible transfer and ethnic cleansing. Gaza Exodus Pushback: The US State Department told Al Jazeera it does not support any plan for forced displacement or expulsion from Gaza, rejecting Israeli calls to “de-populate” the strip. Far-Right Plan Sparks Outcry: Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Katz renewed proposals to remove Gaza’s population, with Ben-Gvir floating a seven-year “voluntary emigration” scheme and Germany condemning an AI video mocking prisoner treatment. Press Under Threat: An attack on an NBC News crew and a Palestinian family in the West Bank while documenting forced displacement highlights growing dangers for journalists amid settler violence. Arts & Culture: Roger Waters is set to executive produce a documentary on Palestine’s Freedom Theatre, adding major music-industry attention to Gaza-era cultural survival. Sports Solidarity: A Northern Ireland triathlon event barred an Israeli delegation, citing refusal to normalize Israel while Palestinians suffer.

Palestinian Arts & Culture: Gaza’s football returns with the “Thousand Martyrs Cup,” kicking off Sept. 4 across Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem and Lebanon—named for more than 1,000 athletes killed since Oct. 7, 2023. Literature & Resistance: Palestinian author Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah has been shortlisted for the 2026 South Australian Literary Awards Fiction prize for Discipline, after controversy over her removal from Adelaide Writers’ Week. Film & Activism: Venice Film Festival tensions keep rising as calls grow for the Palestinian flag to be flown and for Israel-tied films to face pressure. Solidarity on the Water: Freedom Flotilla prepares a new October mission to challenge Israel’s Gaza blockade with food and medical supplies, after earlier interception and abuse allegations. Politics, Art, and Protest: Jadavpur University students put up a poster using ex-PM Vajpayee’s words on Palestinian rights after campus graffiti was whitewashed. Sports & Boycott Politics: Israeli athletes were barred from a Derry triathlon amid “representation” concerns—another sports flashpoint tied to Palestine.

Palestine Action: Four activists jailed as “terrorists” over a 2024 raid on an Israeli arms factory in Filton are now appealing, arguing the judge misapplied the Terrorism Act and that their direct action was humanitarian, not meant to intimidate or influence government. Gaza displacement plan: Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is set to unveil “Disengagement 710,” targeting the forced/“voluntary” expulsion of about 1.86M Palestinians from Gaza over seven years, with international partners and visas/housing promised. West Bank violence & demolitions: Israeli forces demolished Khirbet Al Tabban, displacing families, while separate attacks killed two Palestinian teens near Ramallah amid a wider surge of raids and settler violence. Venice Film Festival & Palestine: Venice4Palestine is pushing “concrete action” and a Palestinian flag at the festival, with major film figures signing an open letter; Palestinian films are also in the lineup. Arts & culture spotlight: A Palestinian art feature highlights Sliman Mansour and the rise of revolutionary Palestinian art, while Roger Waters is tied to a Palestine resistance documentary project. Sports & boycott: A triathlon club in Derry confirmed no Israeli athletes will compete, citing representation of Israel in international sport during ongoing Palestine violence.

Prison Accountability: An Israeli court filed criminal charges against a dozen guards accused of beating Palestinian prisoners in Nov. 2023, including the death of Thaer Abu Asab. West Bank Heritage: Palestine’s foreign ministry says Israel is “stealing artifacts” and altering the Sebastia archaeological site, warning of threats after UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger listing. Art & Activism: Ithaca Murals says its public art push has grown to 400+ murals, including pieces that take stances on Palestine—sometimes vandalized, then restored by the community. Film Festival Spotlight: Venice opens with George Clooney’s lifetime award and a Gaza-focused documentary (“Naza”) in the lineup, as the festival faces renewed pressure to engage with Palestine. Cultural Diplomacy: China’s Xi backed a new West Asia security framework while insisting the Palestinian issue must stay central and never be marginalized. Controversy in Media/Politics: A pro-Palestinian tapestry exhibition tied to Gaza allegations is promoted by Qatar’s royal sister of the emir ahead of Venice’s run.