AGP Executive Report

West Bank Sanctions Ripple: The UK says it will ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements and target specific companies and services tied to settlement expansion, with France and Canada following suit and warning trade can’t support a situation threatening both Israelis and Palestinians. Venice Film Spotlight: Israeli documentary “NAZA” about AI-powered killing in Gaza drew a record 25-minute standing ovation at Venice, with whistleblowers describing remote “killing factory” operations. Diplomacy Delayed: Israel-Lebanon talks postponed from Rome to October, with ambassadors set to meet in Washington to keep implementing the June framework. High Holidays, Abroad: Chabad Patong in Phuket reportedly cancelled a Rosh Hashanah event after local protests, while a baby girl born in northern Israel marked the first birth of the Jewish New Year 5787. Culture & Identity in Film: Director Avi Nesher’s “Our Loves” heads to Toronto, exploring how people survive the Oct. 7 attack that begins a day later. Music Backlash: Pink defended her stance after reposting criticism of Macklemore’s “free Palestine” remarks, framing it as standing up for her Jewish identity.

EU Sanctions Showdown: The UK, France and Canada moved to ban trade tied to illegal Israeli West Bank settlements, with London targeting specific companies and individuals linked to settlement expansion and France saying it will end settlement trade “with 11 other countries.” Diplomatic Ripple Effects: Israel retaliated in the UK row, including plans to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem and bar some MPs, while EU officials doubled down that settlements are “illegal” under international law. Border Talks Delayed: Israel-Lebanon negotiations in Rome were postponed to October, with ambassadors set to meet in Washington as the Lebanon-Israel framework deal faces renewed strain. Security & Culture Under Pressure: Germany indicted Hamas suspects over a planned attack network targeting Jews and pro-Israel figures, while Rosh Hashanah coverage highlights how Jewish communities are pairing celebration with heightened vigilance. Human Stories in the West Bank: Masafer Yatta families face demolitions that threaten homes and even school spaces, underscoring how daily life is shaped by permits and displacement fears. Film & Memory: Gaza documentary “NAZA” drew a record 24.5-minute standing ovation at Venice, fueling debate over Israel’s use of AI-assisted targeting.

West Bank Trade Sanctions: UK, France and Canada move to halt goods from illegal Israeli settlements, with UK measures targeting specific companies and services tied to construction, infrastructure, financing and real estate, while France says it will end settlement trade with a wider coalition. Academic Rights Clash: Adalah reports Israeli universities expelled or suspended 100 Palestinian students over Gaza-war criticism, alleging discriminatory disciplinary tracks after Oct. 7. Gaza Education Hit: UNICEF-backed reporting shows children in Gaza missing the school year amid destruction and shortages, with families unable to afford basics like clothes and supplies. Documentary at Venice: Israeli filmmakers premiere “NAZA,” featuring testimony from 24 military insiders alleging systematic killing in Gaza, including surveillance and remote bombing described as AI-assisted. Islamophobia After 9/11: A New York story traces how Muslim New Yorkers organized against post-9/11 surveillance and hostility, helping build political power culminating in Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral win. Rosh Hashanah Culture: Herzog’s shofar message calls for pride, action and respect, tying High Holidays reflection to Israel’s election moment. West Bank Security Tensions: A former IDF spokesman says Israel is “shooting itself in the foot” by failing to curb Jewish extremist violence due to lack of political directives.

Thailand & Diplomacy: Hundreds rallied outside Israel’s embassy in Bangkok, demanding Israeli visitors respect Thai laws and culture, as protests also surfaced in Phuket tied to Rosh Hashanah events and fears of rising antisemitism. Education & Antisemitism: California’s Education Department reversed a Manhattan Beach district’s finding that an AP U.S. history teacher didn’t discriminate after posting Holocaust-era materials alleging Israel committed “genocide” in Gaza. Culture & Faith: “NAZA,” an Israeli filmmakers’ documentary based on interviews with 24 soldiers, drew a record standing ovation at Venice and reignited global debate over Gaza civilian harm. Heritage & History: A new look at the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Museum of the Bible connects ancient Jewish texts to Christian faith and culture. Food & Lifestyle: Kibbutz Yad Mordechai’s honey story highlights how women shaped Israel’s early beekeeping industry. Jewish Life on Campus: Rutgers Chabad welcomed the Sephardic Chief Rabbi as the school year begins, while Jewish groups elsewhere push for safer campus life amid antisemitism concerns.

UK-Israel Diplomatic Fallout: Israel says it will close the British consulate in East Jerusalem after London moves to restrict trade tied to illegal West Bank settlements, escalating a wider sanctions row that’s already drawn international pushback. Settlement Expansion Watch: The Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission says Israel is considering plans for 1,670 new housing units in illegal settlements, including projects near Bethlehem, Ramallah and Jericho. Global Culture & Identity: Berlin’s Israeli-owned Kanal 61 makes Vogue Germany’s best-of list, showing how food can spark cross-divide conversation. Film & Memory: Venice’s Golden Lion competition features “NAZA,” a new documentary alleging secret Israeli systems used in Gaza, with testimony from 24 insiders. Rosh Hashanah & Community Life: Chabad Ukraine says it’s still delivering Rosh Hashanah sweet kits amid shelling and heightened risk. Diaspora Politics: A Providence, Rhode Island, mayoral race shows Israel politics spilling into local U.S. elections, while Florida Muslim leaders warn of rising Islamophobia ahead of the High Holy Days. Protest & Tourism: Hundreds rally outside Israel’s Bangkok embassy over complaints about Israeli visitors’ behavior and respect for Thai laws.

UK–Israel Diplomatic Fallout: Ed Miliband announced sweeping UK sanctions on goods from Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, calling the occupation “unlawful” and alleging “ethnic cleansing,” while Israel retaliated by ordering the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days and banning dozens of MPs. US Reaction: Donald Trump said he would speak to Israel to “find out” the rationale, while Marco Rubio warned the measures could destabilize the West Bank without joining the trade ban. Regional Ripple: More countries joined the settlement trade restrictions, and UAE, Arab and Muslim nations welcomed the UK move. Culture & Identity: Noa Kirel’s controversial “Love Song” video drew backlash from younger Israeli fans, and Boy George issued a tense statement about feeling “anxious” while backing Jewish friends amid the Israel debate. Education & Campus Climate: A FIRE free-speech ranking put Indiana University near the bottom, while Jewish groups in North America released a “Bill of Rights” urging schools to better protect Jewish K-12 students from antisemitism. Community Life: Israel opened its first embassy in Slovenia as pro-Palestinian protesters rallied outside; in New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD pledged extra security for Rosh Hashanah.

UK-Israel Diplomatic Fallout: Israel ordered the UK to close its East Jerusalem consulate within 30 days and told British diplomats to leave, escalating a dispute after London (with France and Canada) announced bans and sanctions targeting goods and services tied to Israeli West Bank settlements. West Bank Settlements Sanctions: The UK says it’s responding to “ethnic cleansing” and unlawful occupation, while Israel calls the claims lies and retaliates with entry bans for lawmakers and other countermeasures. Aliyah & Society: Israel’s Aliyah and Integration Ministry reports 20,000+ new immigrants in the Jewish year 5786, led by arrivals from Russia and France, with many young professionals and students. Education & Future Skills: A preliminary RAMA report points to sharp declines in Israeli students’ science and technology performance, echoing low PISA results. Pre-Army Service Program: A new “The Four” preparatory track for 18–20-year-olds from traditional, religious, and haredi backgrounds is set to open in the Golan. Culture & Public Life: Portuguese comedians and artists pulled out of a Lisbon humor festival over Jerry Seinfeld’s pro-Israel stance, adding to a growing wave of entertainment-sector backlash. Tech & Industry: Anthropic reportedly walked away from a $6B deal to buy Israeli AI startup Decart after founders resisted relocation demands, highlighting friction between global expansion and keeping R&D rooted in Israel.

UK-Israel Diplomatic Fallout: British FM Ed Miliband says Israel is “turning a blind eye” to “ethnic cleansing,” announcing a ban on goods from West Bank settlements and targeted action against firms enabling settlement expansion; Israel retaliates by closing the UK consulate in Jerusalem, expelling some UK-linked officials, and barring 12 British MPs. Global Sanctions Push: A 12-country coalition (including France and Canada) moves to restrict trade with settlement goods, while Human Rights Watch calls the step “positive and long-delayed.” UAE Warning on Oct. 7: Haaretz reports the UAE’s president warned Netanyahu about a major Hamas offensive about 10 days before Oct. 7, which Israel’s office denies. Community Safety & Culture: Toronto police and Mayor Olivia Chow outline boosted security for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with officers embedded with Jewish security networks. Education & Identity: A US appeals court revives a lawsuit over Los Angeles ethnic studies materials accused of promoting Jew-hatred. Local Life: Israel marks the 54th anniversary of the Munich 11 with a Tel Aviv memorial ceremony.

UK–Israel Tensions: Britain is set to announce a ban on trade in goods from Israeli West Bank settlements, framed as protecting the two-state solution—while Israel and the US warn of retaliation and economic fallout. Education & Youth: New PISA results show Israeli students’ sharpest declines in math, reading, and science, with officials calling it catastrophic and pointing to war’s impact alongside deeper system problems. Culture & Community: Palestinian filmmakers launched the “Gaza Film Academy” alongside the Venice Film Festival, backing women and young talent and aiming for sustainable training and production in Gaza. Lifestyle & Health: On World PT Day, a Tel Aviv-based Feldenkrais practitioner highlights movement-learning as a complement to physical therapy, using small, slow awareness-based exercises. Travel & Security: Israel’s National Security Council issues travel warnings for Bangladesh and other countries ahead of major Jewish holidays, citing heightened attack risks. Arts & Pop Culture: Adidas apologizes in Israel after a campaign featuring a disabled former IDF soldier sparked boycott calls. Aviation: Arkia plans the first direct Tel Aviv–Manila flights starting January 2027.

UK–Israel Sanctions: Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is set to announce a “comprehensive reset” that could include a ban on goods and some services from Israeli West Bank settlements, with Andy Burnham warning it’s aimed at protecting a two-state future—while the move risks a Trump backlash. West Bank Tensions: Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz threatens a “full-scale war” against the Palestinian Authority if it launches an Oct. 7-style attack, as violence and settler attacks continue. Diplomatic Spat: Far-right Israeli leaders Smotrich and Ben-Gvir demand the expulsion of the UK ambassador and even call for Israel to recognize the Falklands as Argentine territory—escalating the fallout over Britain’s settlement trade stance. Culture & Controversy: Macklemore doubled down on “Free Palestine” remarks during Ed Sheeran’s MetLife shows, prompting petitions and refund talk from pro-Israel groups, while Adidas Arabia apologized after a campaign featuring an amputee former Israeli soldier triggered boycott calls. Jerusalem & Society: Haredi protesters clashed with light rail construction on Bar-Ilan Street, and a Knesset panel reported a sharp 58% drop in Israelis returning in 2025 amid rising emigration.

West Bank Security: Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of “all-out war” against senior Palestinian Authority officials and “terror infrastructure” if an October 7-style attack is planned or launched, including evacuations and targeted killings. UK Culture & Policy: Britain is set to announce a ban on trade with Israeli settlements, framed as aligning with the ICJ’s 2024 advisory opinion—another flashpoint for arts, education, and cultural boycotts. Corporate Culture War: Adidas is hit with boycott calls over its “Single Shoe” campaign in Israel featuring former soldier Shalev Biton, turning an accessibility message into a debate about representation during the Gaza war. Hollywood & Activism: Susan Sarandon says she’s still losing film roles because of her pro-Palestine stance, describing casting agencies that discourage hiring. Diaspora & Civic Life: Miami-Dade approved a higher investment cap for Israeli bonds amid public backlash, underscoring how Israel-related finance keeps spilling into local politics. High Holidays Alert: Israel’s National Security Council urged caution for Israelis abroad ahead of Rosh Hashanah as threats span multiple fronts. Arts Calendar: Jerusalem’s chamber music festival and a Museum of Jewish Art exhibition opening offer fresh cultural picks for the weekend.

High Court & Elections: Israel’s High Court dismissed an expatriates’ petition to vote in the Oct. 27 election after they were excluded from voter rolls under “Code 51,” citing filing too late and lack of a full appeals record. Politics & Identity: Ra’am’s slate move puts secular Zionist Yoav Segalovitz in a key spot, signaling a new kind of coalition messaging ahead of the vote. Regional Diplomacy: Eight Muslim-majority countries jointly condemned Israeli calls to displace Palestinians from Gaza and reaffirmed Palestinian statehood as a peace condition. Culture & Film: Jerusalem Cinematheque honors Paul Newman with a September–October retrospective, including the resonance of “Exodus.” Music & Festivals: Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa headline the Jerusalem Oud Festival opening night, reworking Arabic love-song traditions. Pop Culture Backlash: The Israeli-American Council is pushing to remove Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s tour after “Free Palestine” remarks. Travel & Lifestyle: Israel’s National Security Council issued High Holidays travel warnings, urging Israelis abroad to avoid Israeli/Jewish symbols and real-time location sharing. Sports & Society: Adidas faces boycott calls over its “single shoe” campaign featuring former Israeli soldier Shalev Biton. Local Justice: Rabbi Moshe Yazdi was sentenced to 18 years for sex offenses by deception in Jerusalem District Court.

Gaza Displacement Row: Saudi Arabia and seven other Muslim countries condemned Israeli ministers’ calls to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza, warning it violates international law and undermines US-backed peace efforts. High Holy Days Security: Israel’s National Security Council issued renewed guidance for Israelis abroad ahead of the holidays, citing rising Iran-linked plots and increased motivation for attacks on Jews and Israelis worldwide. Travel Watchlist: Cyprus was rated among the lowest-risk destinations for Israelis, while several countries near Iran’s orbit were flagged with higher alert levels. West Bank Schools Under Pressure: Israeli forces raided two schools in Nablus on the first day of the academic year, including demands to remove Palestinian flags. Hate Crime at School: Police opened an investigation after swastikas were graffitied during a break-in at Pardes Hanna-Karkur’s Shvilim school. Aliyah Practicalities: An Aliyah summit focused on the first 24 hours in Israel—paperwork, health funds, banking, and settling in. Medical Brain Drain: A Tel Aviv University study says Israel lost nearly 1,400 doctors in three years, accelerating departures. Culture & Identity: A Safed travel piece spotlights the city’s living spiritual legacy ahead of Rosh Hashanah. Music Backlash: The Israeli-American Council urged Ed Sheeran to drop Macklemore as opener after “Free Palestine” shouts at a major US show. Sports Boycott Calls: Adidas faced boycott pressure over a campaign featuring an Israeli amputee veteran tied to the Gaza war context.

High Holy Days at the Western Wall: Tens of thousands joined Selichot prayers at Jerusalem’s Western Wall under heavy police security, with organizers reporting more than half a million participants since Elul began. UK–Israel Diplomatic Clash: Israel’s Foreign Ministry and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee hit back at UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband over Gaza medicine claims, with Miliband’s office warning sanctions could endanger Britain’s security ties. West Bank Settler Violence Condemned: Huckabee again called settler attacks an “act of terror” during a visit to Turmus Ayya, while protests and solidarity actions continued across Europe. Political Shake-Up in Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Bloc: United Torah Judaism ousted Moshe Gafni after 38 years, reshuffling leadership after the draft-exemption law failed. Culture Spotlight: John Malkovich is set to return to Tel Aviv for “The Music Critic,” and Ma’ayan—an NJ-born artist—shared how art and Orthodox faith shaped her move to Jerusalem. Business & Community Links: Israel opened its first Chamber of Commerce office in Republika Srpska, aiming to deepen trade, tech, culture, and education ties. Gaza Activism at Sea: Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced a new October mission to challenge the Gaza blockade, with two vessels already traveling through European ports.

Diplomacy Under Strain: Former NSC chief Giora Eiland says Israel’s confrontational messaging and Netanyahu’s silence are eroding trust abroad, risking vital interests. Lebanon Front: Israel and Hezbollah keep trading blows around the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge, with Israel claiming “operational control” as civilians and displaced families struggle through another school year. Humanitarian/Identity: UN rights officials warn of “ethnic cleansing” and “crime against humanity” concerns tied to West Bank camp displacements, while Israel’s education system in al-Quds faces accusations of reshaping Palestinian identity. Culture & Community: A new Hebrew New Testament revision aims to make Christian scriptures more accessible to Jewish readers, and Rosh Hashanah food traditions—from fish heads to carp—continue to anchor Israeli holiday life. Campus & Speech: The US House passes a bill threatening federal funding for universities that boycott Israel, fueling fresh free-speech fights. Religion & Society: A Muslim IDF combat soldier describes confronting anti-Arab rhetoric inside her unit, highlighting the personal cost of national conflict.

West Bank Violence & Aid Blocked: Israeli police killed a Palestinian near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem while the army blocked food and medicine to a West Bank village besieged by settlers, as attacks continued across the occupied territory. Gaza Expulsion Talk: Two Israeli ministers renewed calls to remove Palestinians from Gaza, with Hamas and the Palestinian National Council calling it a grave violation of international law. UN Rights Warning: A UN report says forced displacement of over 33,000 people from three West Bank refugee camps could amount to crimes against humanity and raises “ethnic cleansing” concerns. Sport & Culture Boycotts: Northern Ireland’s triathlon organizers removed Israeli athletes citing safety and representation amid the Gaza crisis, while Adidas faced backlash over an IDF amputee ad and a boycott call. US Policy & Campus Life: Rights groups urged Congress to drop a defense bill provision deepening US-Israel military tech ties, as the House passed measures to penalize universities that boycott Israel. Community & Faith: A kosher “Hersh’s Fridge” opened in Skokie to feed neighbors anonymously, and European rabbis unveiled a plan to confront antisemitic violence.