AGP Executive Report

Explosive ordnance crisis: Save the Children reports over 12,000 children killed or injured by landmines and other explosive remnants since 2020, warning drones are also disrupting schools and care. UN spotlight on West Bank: UN chief António Guterres says Israel’s settlements, violence and displacement are raising the “specter of ethnic cleansing,” as leaders clash at the UN General Assembly. Two-state under pressure: UK PM Andy Burnham vows Britain won’t “stand by” as Gaza and the West Bank suffer, warning settlement plans like E1 threaten a viable Palestinian state. Mass detention claims: Palestinian VP Hussein al-Sheikh accuses Israel of turning West Bank areas into “mass detention camps,” citing checkpoints and uprooting olive trees. Culture & daily life: Football returns to Palestine with the Thousand Martyrs Cup, as clubs restart across the West Bank, Gaza and camps despite war and restrictions. Education under fire: A Gaza/West Bank focus on “Can you get to class?” highlights how raids, gates and closures turn learning into a survival question. Film controversy: Israel weighs revoking citizenship linked to Gaza war documentary “NAZA,” after its Venice prize win. Sports activism: NFL player Azeez Al-Shaair keeps honoring Hind Rajab despite fines, using his platform for Palestinian causes. Protest & solidarity: Global Chevron boycott actions target the company’s Israel-linked gas role, tying consumer pressure to Gaza’s suffering.

UN General Assembly: UN chief António Guterres opened the 81st UNGA warning that “cracks have become canyons,” with wars, inequality, climate change and AI driving deeper division. He condemned Israeli violence in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank, saying it is “bulldozing the path to peace” and raising the “specter of ethnic cleansing.” Diplomacy & culture: As the world debates under one roof, the Palestine-linked cultural spotlight keeps growing—from protests and sports boycotts to artists speaking out. Sports & boycott: More than 160 Irish athletes urged Ireland’s men’s team to boycott Israel fixtures, while UEFA/neutral-venue plans keep the controversy alive. Art & activism fallout: The Ed Sheeran–Macklemore tour dispute over pro-Palestinian remarks continues to ripple through pop culture, with public backlash and celebrity commentary. Press freedom: The EU-backed Samir Kassir Award named Palestinian journalist Ahmad Al-Agha among winners, highlighting Gaza displacement through “The Tent.” Legal pressure: Spain allowed a US extradition case involving pro-Palestinian donor James Cox Chambers to proceed, despite political protests.

Gaza Education Returns: UNICEF reports 98% of Gaza schools were destroyed or damaged, yet hundreds of thousands of children still returned to in-person classes in tents and ruins—learning with notebooks and pens many can’t afford. Human Cost of War: Israeli fire killed at least three Palestinians and injured 20 across Gaza, as health authorities said deaths since the ceasefire began have climbed to 73,914. Culture Under Pressure: The Gaza school reopening and children’s first day stories are being echoed in a wider culture moment—UNICEF frames education as hope, while Gaza’s artists and filmmakers keep pushing stories outward. Pro-Palestine in Pop Culture: Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour after pro-Palestinian remarks sparked backlash and more donations, with commentary arguing artists now pay a “changing cost” for speaking out. West Bank Crackdowns: Israeli forces detained dozens in raids across the occupied West Bank, including a large sweep in Biddu near Jerusalem. Palestinian Politics: The Palestinian CEC says about three million people are eligible to vote in Nov 28 legislative elections, with women at roughly half and Gaza making up a large share.

Gaza Education: Hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza returned to in-person classes after nearly three years, with UNICEF saying 98% of schools were damaged or destroyed; many students learn in tents and broken buildings, often without basic supplies. Humanitarian Pressure in the West Bank: Hunger is rising as WFP cuts food aid in the West Bank from 400,000 to 200,000 people, despite far higher food insecurity estimates. Jerusalem & Al-Aqsa: 458 Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa under heavy protection, while authorities imposed tighter restrictions across East Jerusalem during Yom Kippur. Culture & Film: The Palestine Film Showcase is set to bring Gaza-linked documentary shorts to Chicago, including “On the Sidewalk,” blending Chicago protest footage with Gaza phone videos. Music & Public Debate: Ed Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia after the Macklemore fallout, calling Gaza “catastrophic and unjustifiable” and apologizing for “making mistakes” amid the wider free-speech and Palestine controversy. Politics & Activism: Hamas condemned US visa denials for a Palestinian delegation to the UN General Assembly, calling it a violation of UN access rules.

UN diplomacy & culture: Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin will spotlight Palestine at the UN General Assembly, calling for peace in the Middle East and a ceasefire in Ukraine. Gaza education access: UNDP says debris removal is reopening schools and universities in Gaza, clearing roads and access points for students and teachers. Human impact in Gaza: A Palestinian woman and two children were injured in separate incidents involving gunfire and drone fire, while reports cite a rising death toll. Holy sites & identity: Palestinian Endowments warns Israel is seizing waqf-linked shrines in Tulkarm, and the Palestinian Scholars Association condemns Netanyahu’s Al-Aqsa incursion through tunnels and excavations. Lifestyle under siege: Palestinians in Masafer Yatta rebuild homes inside caves after demolitions, turning survival into daily family life. Culture war in entertainment: Ed Sheeran broke his silence in Philadelphia, apologizing for “mistakes” and calling Gaza “catastrophic and unjustifiable” amid the ongoing tour fallout. Protest & solidarity abroad: Tunisian demonstrators rallied for four Global Sumud Flotilla activists held on hunger strike.

Gaza Back to School: Hundreds of thousands of children returned to classrooms in Gaza after nearly three years, often in tents and damaged UNRWA spaces, as the education ministry urged protection for schools and staff. West Bank Education Blocked: Israeli forces closed checkpoints in the northern Jordan Valley, leaving 104 teachers unable to reach six schools and a kindergarten near Tubas. Al-Aqsa Tensions: Hamas condemned Netanyahu’s claims about tunnels and excavations under Al-Aqsa and the Wailing Wall, stressing the mosque’s Islamic identity. Jerusalem Flashpoints: Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa again, with Jewish prayers held in the courtyard ahead of Yom Kippur. Press Freedom Under Pressure: Press TV condemned the Israeli abduction of West Bank correspondent Naqaa Hamed, calling it an attempt to silence independent reporting. Solidarity Under Scrutiny: In Mumbai, police allegedly searched a pro-Palestine activist’s home over a kite event for Palestinian children. Culture & Politics Collide: Ed Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia, calling Gaza “catastrophic and unjustifiable,” apologizing for “mistakes” amid the Macklemore “Free Palestine” tour fallout, while donations to Palestinian aid groups surged.

Gaza Education: Gaza’s Education Ministry says about half a million students have resumed classes as the new academic year begins after a three-year hiatus, with learning running through in-person and virtual tracks due to tents, caravans, and logistical constraints. Gaza War Updates: Reports describe Israeli attacks across Gaza, while the wider toll remains catastrophic, with ongoing strikes and displacement. Culture & Activism in Music: Ed Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia for his first solo show after Macklemore was removed over pro-Palestinian remarks; Sheeran apologized for “mistakes,” called Gaza “catastrophic and unjustifiable,” and faced protests outside the venue. International Solidarity: Indonesia’s President Prabowo voiced renewed support for Palestinians, calling “Free Palestine” during a major Islamic gathering. Church Controversy: The Church of England shut down a Gaza memorial exhibition after claims it honored Hamas militants, sparking outrage and debate over how “history” is framed.

Education in Gaza: Gaza’s Ministry of Education says the new school year has started after a three-year hiatus, with about 700 learning centers and 25 temporary schools, plus in-person and virtual tracks for students. Daily life under collapse: In Gaza City, displaced families near damaged towers fear more collapses, with recent incidents injuring children and officials warning many war-damaged buildings remain unsafe. Culture as resistance: Artists in Gaza painted a Macklemore mural in a Palestinian-flag design, thanking him for “using your voice for Palestine” after his removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour sparked a wider debate. Music and activism fallout: The Macklemore-Sheeran row keeps spreading beyond music, with celebrity pledges and public pressure tied to Gaza aid and the “Free Palestine” message. Religious sites under pressure: Gaza’s Awqaf Ministry condemned Ben-Gvir’s Al-Aqsa incursion as a violation of Islamic sanctity, calling for international action to protect holy places. Protest and rights abroad: Pro-Palestinian protesters sued Columbia University over alleged arrests and assaults during a 2025 teach-in, arguing constitutional rights were violated.

Gaza Education Crisis: UNICEF says 98% of Gaza schools are destroyed or damaged, as children return to learning after years without formal schooling. Aid Access Blocked: Euro-Med reports Israel controls entry of aid and people into Gaza, while warning that strikes on civilians—including a 14-year-old trying to rescue the wounded—may amount to war crimes. West Bank Displacement Fight: Amnesty highlights continued peaceful resistance to displacement in the Hebron Hills, where families face land confiscation and demolitions. Courtroom Activism: A British court acquitted pro-Palestinian activist Sarah Kout after a jury found she didn’t name Hamas while defending armed resistance. Culture & Lifestyle Backlash: The “Free Palestine” fallout around Ed Sheeran’s tour keeps growing—Macklemore’s $1m pledge sparks celebrity matching, while Gaza artists paint murals thanking him. Humanitarian Collapse: Gaza’s Health Ministry warns hospitals are “slowly dying” as fuel and power restrictions push the system toward total collapse. Tragedy in the Rubble: A building collapse in Gaza killed at least 21 people, underlining how unsafe damaged housing remains.

Celebrity Aid & Culture Politics: Children’s YouTube star Ms. Rachel says she’ll match rapper Macklemore’s $1M donation to Palestinian charities, urging “every wealthy white celebrity” to follow—after Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour for pro-Palestine remarks. Humanitarian Energy: Qatar signed a UN deal to deliver about 1.3 million liters of fuel to Gaza to keep hospitals and essential services running. Gaza Education Life: Schools reopen in Gaza after three years of war, with classes returning in damaged buildings and tent classrooms. West Bank Pressure & Raids: Israeli forces carried out raids across multiple West Bank areas, with a journalist detained in Ramallah and arrests reported around Jenin and Nablus. Visa Restrictions: The US keeps denying entry to Palestinian officials, including Mahmoud Abbas, as UN access debates continue. Arts Under Threat: The Gaza documentary “NAZA” continues to spark political backlash in Israel, with far-right protests targeting the directors’ families.

Celebrity Activism & Aid: Children’s YouTube star Ms. Rachel says she’ll match Macklemore’s $1M pledge to Palestinian causes, urging “every wealthy white celebrity” to do the same, as the wider Ed Sheeran–Macklemore fallout keeps reshaping pop culture conversations. Music Industry Fallout: Protests are planned outside Sheeran’s Philadelphia show, with groups framing the tour crisis as a chance to keep Gaza and Palestine in public view. Human Rights Report: B’Tselem released “The Elimination Project,” alleging Israel is dismantling Palestinian collective life in the West Bank, while Israel rejects the claims. Gaza Humanitarian Support: Qatar announced a 1.3 million liter fuel grant to keep Gaza hospitals and essential services running. Culture & Memory: A Detroit cultural anthropologist launched The Legacy Storykeepers to preserve Arab and Muslim family histories after losing her parents. West Bank Detentions: Reports highlight continued Israeli night raids and the detention of Palestinian children, including administrative detention.

Gaza Tragedy: A war-damaged six-storey apartment building in Gaza City collapsed, killing at least 21 people (including 12 children) and injuring dozens, as rescuers struggled without enough heavy machinery. Human Rights & Detention: A 21-year-old Palestinian prisoner died in Israeli custody at Ofer Prison, with his family saying they received no clear explanation. Diplomacy & Holy Sites: Jordan’s Senate Palestine Committee met the Vatican’s ambassador, praising Vatican support for a two-state solution and warning about threats to Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem’s Christian communities. US Visa Pressure: The US extended visa sanctions against PLO and Palestinian Authority officials ahead of the UN General Assembly, while the PA condemned the move as unjustified. Culture & Solidarity: After Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour over pro-Palestine remarks, Macklemore pledged his full $1m tour earnings to Palestinian relief groups and challenged Robert Kraft to match it; Kraft later said he would donate $2m. West Bank Life: Israeli settlers inaugurated a synagogue in Homesh, a revived settlement, as Palestinians nearby warn it tightens restrictions on land and movement. Media & Accountability: A UK outlet’s editor’s notes renew calls for IDF accountability after unanswered questions about targeting decisions tied to the Gaza documentary “NAZA.”

Gaza Tragedy: A war-damaged residential building collapsed in Gaza City overnight, killing at least 20 people (including children) and injuring dozens, with about 100 feared trapped as rescuers dig through rubble with limited heavy machinery. Humanitarian Pressure: UN and aid groups warn Gaza’s damaged infrastructure and lack of equipment are turning damaged homes into death traps, as displaced families try to shelter in unsafe buildings. Culture & Celebrity Politics: The fallout from Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour keeps spreading—Macklemore pledged his full $1M net earnings to Palestinian aid groups and challenged Robert Kraft to match it; Kraft later said he and Sheeran will each commit $2M. Public Memory: An interfaith coalition unveiled a 100-metre shroud at the UN Church Centre in New York bearing handwritten names of more than 20,000 Palestinian children killed in Gaza, timed with UN General Assembly events. Diplomacy: The US denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend UNGA in person for a second straight year, with a push to allow remote participation. Film Under Threat: Israel’s leaders renewed threats against the “NAZA” documentary team after its Venice prize, escalating pressure on filmmakers tied to Gaza reporting.

Gaza Health & Daily Life: Gaza’s Health Ministry says about 70% of hospital electricity generators are out of service as fuel, oil, and spare parts run short, threatening critical departments and even stopping buses that carry medical workers. Tragedy in the City: In Gaza City’s Tal al-Hawa, a six-storey apartment block collapsed after earlier strikes, killing at least 20 people (including children) with dozens still missing as rescuers dig by hand. Culture Under Fire: After nearly three years of war, Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church reopened its school for about 1,000 pupils, with trauma support built into the program. Palestinian Arts & Film: Muayad Alayan’s Jerusalem-set drama “Conversation With the Sea” heads to Toronto after Venice, following a Palestinian man battling Israeli bureaucracy over his son’s death. Music & Activism: The Ed Sheeran “Loop” tour fallout keeps widening as more support acts quit after Macklemore was dropped for pro-Palestine remarks, while artists like Kneecap and Massive Attack back him. Heritage Spotlight: A new UNESCO-backed exhibition opened in Al-Bireh Cultural Centre in Ramallah, celebrating six endangered Palestinian crafts and the artisans keeping them alive.

Music & Protest: Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” imploded after rapper Macklemore was removed for onstage “Free Palestine” remarks. Within hours, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga quit the remaining dates, saying artists shouldn’t be silenced when speaking for the oppressed. Sheeran insists the call was made by the promoter and venues, but the walkouts keep widening the cultural backlash. Culture & Film: The Compass Center’s New View Film Series returns with a free screening of “Three Chaplains,” spotlighting Muslim chaplains and interfaith understanding. Education & Rights: In the West Bank, a school under siege highlights how settler violence and military roadblocks disrupt daily life and schooling. Legal Pressure: Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University, alleging a hostile environment and failure to protect pro-Palestinian students. Gaza Humanitarian Reality: UN-linked reporting warns Gaza’s recovery and access remain dire, with concerns raised over war crimes and the treatment of the dead.

Palestinian Childhood Under Occupation: The Arab League, meeting in Tunisia, urged protection for Palestinian children’s right to education and called out educational and cultural violations, including arrests, raids, and restrictions across Gaza and the West Bank. Gaza Remains Recovery Raises War-Crime Fears: UN rights chief Volker Turk warned that recovered bodies from Gaza rubble—often women and children—revive concerns about possible war crimes and urged access for investigators to preserve forensic information. Women in the West Bank Under Pressure: UN Women reported women-headed households face higher displacement and fear of arrest, with 925 movement obstacles across the West Bank making checkpoints feel unsafe and blocking access to food, services, and work. NAZA Documentary Under Fire: CPJ condemned Israeli threats against “NAZA” filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, as Israeli officials move to revoke citizenship and accuse the film of “blood libel.” Culture & Activism in the UK: A Palestine Action activist who spray-painted Churchill with “Free Palestine” and “Stop the Genocide” was cleared of criminal damage, while UK sanctions debates continue to ripple through Palestinian daily life. Campus Rights Clash: Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil sued Columbia University, alleging “deliberate indifference” to harassment and retaliation against students. Settler Violence & Land: Reports from Ramallah and the West Bank describe bulldozing and land leveling tied to settlement expansion, alongside escalating settler attacks and property seizures. Pop Culture Backlash: Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” stance led to his removal from Ed Sheeran’s US tour, sparking major artist support and venue pushback—showing how Gaza and West Bank politics keep spilling into mainstream culture.