AGP Executive Report

Israeli Politics & Elections: A new Kan poll shows Ofer Winter’s People of Israel and Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism clearing the threshold, while Likud and Otzma Yehudit slide; the Arab bloc rises to 13 seats and Netanyahu edges Bennett on PM suitability. US–Israel Political Fallout: Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed finally apologized to Jewish Democrats for his “hurt people hurt people” Temple Israel remarks, saying “I made a mistake” after backlash. West Bank Tensions: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa called the West Bank “a lawless land” as settler aggression and Gaza’s devastation deepen. Religion & Community Safety: US groups urged more police patrols at Jewish schools and synagogues ahead of the High Holy Days as antisemitic hate crimes keep climbing. Regional Culture of Conflict: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei urged Muslim unity against the “real enemy” (the US and Israel), warning that Muslim divisions help adversaries. Gender & Service in the IDF: Court-martial proceedings followed soldiers refusing to board an APC with a female medic, highlighting ongoing friction over gender-segregated religious practice.

West Bank Tensions: Israeli forces and police traded blame after masked settler violence in Qusra and Jalud left at least eight Palestinians injured, with reports of residents trapped in a home and no arrests made. Prison & Politics: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared footage from Damon Prison, saying female Islamic Jihad detainees got “bare minimum” conditions—sparking fresh controversy over how Israel treats prisoners. Jerusalem Holy Sites: Police arrested suspects after alleged spitting and rock-throwing at the Armenian Cathedral of St. James during an Old City event. Culture & Books: A new Palestinian novel, “Mined Paradises,” explores identity and love across West Bank and Gaza amid checkpoints and shifting geographies. Islamic Unity Week: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei urged Muslim rulers—especially in the Gulf—to unite against the “true enemy,” accusing the US and Israel of undermining Islamic solidarity. Media Under Attack: An NBC News crew was assaulted near Jalud while reporting on alleged settler violence, with Netanyahu condemning the attack and calling for arrests. High Holy Days Security: The US urged governments worldwide to protect Jewish communities ahead of the holidays, including possible on-the-ground security measures and Shabbat-friendly threat alerts.

West Bank Settler Violence: Netanyahu issued a rare, sharp condemnation of “criminal acts of violence” by settlers in Qusra and Jalud, after weeks of sieges and new attacks that injured Palestinians and disrupted Israel’s operations and international image. Free Speech in the US: A federal judge ruled the Trump administration can’t use immigration powers to deport noncitizen students for criticizing Israel or supporting Palestinians, backing the Stanford Daily’s lawsuit and stressing speech and press freedoms. US Politics & Jewish Democrats: Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed apologized to Jewish Democrats over his earlier “context” remarks after the Temple Israel attack, while also trying to distance himself from Twitch streamer Hasan Piker amid antisemitism backlash. Culture & Memory in Gaza: Volunteers salvaged stones and Ottoman-style marble columns from the rubble of the Abu Salim Mosque in Deir al-Balah, aiming to preserve pieces for possible restoration. Jerusalem Life: Haredi protesters set up roadblocks at Jerusalem entrance roads on Shabbat before police dispersed them, escalating tensions over public space and religious pressure. Jewish Culture & Identity: A new exhibition at the Museum for Islamic Art explores Shabtai Zvi, the 17th-century messianic claimant, marking 400 years since his birth.

High-Holiday Security: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pledged more state police protection for synagogues ahead of the High Holidays after a recent attack, while also taking aim at NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Israel-related rhetoric and promising a firm stance against antisemitism. US Politics & Israel Fault Lines: In Michigan, Democrats are convening amid backlash over antisemitic harassment and disputes over US support for Israel, with Jewish AG Dana Nessel skipping the event for safety and Abdul El-Sayed’s anti-Israel campaign still reshaping the party. Campus Speech Under Fire: A US federal judge ruled the Trump administration unlawfully targeted noncitizen students for pro-Palestinian advocacy by using immigration powers, citing First Amendment protections and a chilling effect. Culture & Identity: A profile on Israeli blacksmith Yaron Bob turns Iranian missiles into Judaica, blending trauma, craft, and public symbolism. Religion & Daily Life: Elul reflections and shofar practice highlight how communities prepare for Rosh Hashanah, with one writer recalling a formative past struggle to hear the shofar. Global Spotlight on Gaza: Reports say thousands still reached Al-Aqsa for Friday prayer despite tightened Israeli restrictions and new checkpoints.

Islamic Unity Conference: Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi used the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference to push closer political and economic ties with Muslim neighbors, including Egypt and Lebanon, while calling for broader unity across the Islamic world. US Politics & Israel: Vice President JD Vance is set to speak at the Republican Jewish Coalition summit in Las Vegas, as pro-Israel donors weigh whether to back him for 2028. Education & Antisemitism: A new ADL report says Jewish educators face rampant antisemitism in teachers unions, with many self-censoring out of fear of backlash. Gaza & Elections: A look at Palestinian political maneuvering ahead of Gaza elections asks what ordinary Gazans actually want, amid years of war and distrust. Israel-Linked Hate Crimes (UK): Four men pleaded guilty in London to arson attacks that destroyed ambulances run by a Jewish charity, with prosecutors calling it a targeted assault on the Jewish community. Israel Culture & Lifestyle: A guide to classic Israeli action cinema spotlights “The Delta Force” ahead of Fauda’s Netflix return. Humanitarian Aid: Jewish and Israeli groups mobilized emergency help for Nepal after devastating flash floods.

Judaization Plan: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a bid to “Judaize” Israel’s Negev and Galilee on a massive scale, aiming to add 1 million Jews, expand communities, and override “reckless” plans in Arab towns. Ultra-Orthodox Draft Clash: Haredi protesters tried to block Route 443 to stop police detaining a draft dodger, briefly halting traffic before dispersing. West Bank Memory & Power: The Altalena’s discovery is reigniting right-wing election messaging, with the ship’s 1948 weapons drama now treated as a mobilizing identity symbol. Gaza Kites, New Threat: Gaza’s “war on kites” continues as incendiary devices land in Israel, reframing childhood imagery as terror and psychological warfare. Jerusalem Church Life: The Jerusalem Patriarchate led the Service of the Lamentations at Gethsemane ahead of Dormition, drawing pilgrims and emphasizing peace. Holy Land Archaeology: Italian archaeologists say they found a garden and tombs under the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that match Gospel descriptions. Security Update: Shin Bet and police indicted Arab teenagers over alleged ISIS loyalty and planned attacks. Activism vs Institutions: Treasury moves to revoke tax exemptions from political “charities,” while nurses protest Palantir-linked staffing and surveillance concerns.

UN Rights Watch: The UN human rights office called the Trump administration’s terrorist designation of the UK-based Palestine Action group “disproportionate,” warning it could chill free speech and civic space. Jerusalem & Public Life: Hundreds of haredim protested Jerusalem’s light rail expansion near Bar-Ilan Street, tearing down fences and trying to enter a construction site. Community & Faith: Over 150 Sephardic rabbis and leaders gathered in New York to discuss preserving Sephardic tradition as a living practice. Culture & Heritage: Italian archaeologists reported new findings beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that strengthen the burial-landscape link to the Gospel of John, though they did not identify Jesus’ tomb. Aliyah Momentum: Nefesh B’Nefesh says more than 1,100 North Americans arrived in August, with over 2,000 expected by month’s end. Politics & Identity: Michigan Democrats face fresh internal strain as AG Dana Nessel warns that anti-Israel rhetoric in the party risks normalizing violence against Jews. Rosh Hashanah Lens: A reflective piece ties Rosh Hashanah’s themes—kingship, remembrance, and the shofar—to past, present, and future.

West Bank Security & Settler Violence: IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir says public-order forces in Judea and Samaria will more than double for the fall Jewish holidays, warning Jewish extremist violence is out of control and urging political restraint. Religious Zionism Under Fire: A Religious Zionist MK’s IDF-escorted monument-destruction visit near Nablus sparked global backlash after claims of unauthorized damage. Two-State Solution Debate: A Cardinal in Jerusalem renewed the call for a two-state solution as the “only” path, while other voices argue settlement plans like E1 threaten peace and annexation. Haredi Draft & Travel: An IDF social media video advising haredi draft evaders how to avoid Ben-Gurion checks was deleted after reports. Jerusalem Court & Community Safety: A court acquitted a man in a nun assault case on insanity grounds but ordered up to six years of psychiatric hospitalization. Activists Protect Palestinians: Religious Jewish activists say they’re acting on Jewish texts to shield Palestinians from violent settlers, after injuries during an intervention near Bethlehem. Culture & Identity Beyond Israel: Kurdish language enters Syrian schools for the first time, marking a major shift for cultural rights. Global Antisemitism Policy: The US designated Palestine Action a “terrorist” outfit as UK academics and lawyers demand the ban be lifted. Human Stories: Gaza children dismantle kites after Israeli threats of intensified strikes.

US Immigration & Visas: The Trump administration paused immigrant visa appointments worldwide, citing a new consular training effort and tightening screening tied to its broader immigration crackdown. Democratic Party Rift: Rep. Josh Gottheimer said he’ll never back Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed after questions about his stance toward Jewish Americans, as Hasan Piker’s remarks keep triggering backlash across Democrats. Jerusalem Heritage & Faith: Archaeologists report a 2,000-year-old cultivated garden found beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, reviving debate over sites linked to Jesus’s burial. Culture & Community: A new Rhythm ‘N’ Ruach early childhood music program is coming to Phoenix, letting families start Jewish education through music at any age. Local Jewish Life: A Reform synagogue in Ramat Hasharon had a window smashed in what leaders call a hate crime, echoing a similar incident in Jerusalem. Israel–West Bank Tensions: A court acquitted a settler who assaulted a French Catholic nun, ordering up to six years in psychiatric care, while commentary warns Qusra signals a harsher West Bank future. US–Israel Economic Outreach: A US Embassy delegation visited Israel’s Upper Galilee to back recovery through investment, healthcare, innovation, tourism and agriculture. Activism Under Pressure: The US designated UK group Palestine Action a terrorist organization, triggering sanctions and renewed debate over protest and civil rights.

West Bank Politics: U.S. Senate Democrats led by Adam Schiff and Chuck Schumer urged Netanyahu to rein in a “surge” of settler violence and mass arrests, citing attacks on mosques and deaths of nine American citizens since 2022. UNRWA Under Pressure: Israel’s forces kept control of UNRWA’s Qalandia Training Center in East Jerusalem while UN officials condemned raids and “illegal seizure,” as Jordan called it a violation of UN privileges. Diplomacy & Culture: Israel expelled Dutch representatives from a Gaza coordination center after the Netherlands banned imports from West Bank settlements—another culture-and-policy clash spilling into everyday life. UK Labour Fallout: Andy Burnham is expected to announce “robust” sanctions on Israeli settlements, with Labour’s internal debate warning that a settlement-only boycott could become a de facto wider Israel boycott. Jerusalem Nightlife & Heritage: An AP look inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher captures the centuries-old ritual of locking and reopening Jerusalem’s holiest doors at night and dawn. Sports & Society: Maccabi Ramat Gan announced a historic merger unifying men’s and women’s basketball under one club structure.

UNRWA Under Pressure in Jerusalem: Israeli forces began demolishing the UNRWA Kalandia Vocational Training Centre in East Jerusalem, with UN officials condemning the “unlawful” entry and warning the move will cut off decades of education for Palestinian refugees. Cultural Diplomacy & Community Life: In Gainesville, a downtown venue rebrands as Bazaar47 under Palestinian owner Laila Fakhoury, aiming to keep concerts, markets, and gatherings rooted in community. Film & Memory: Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor’s Gaza-focused documentary NAZA will premiere in Venice competition, drawing on investigations into civilian casualties. Local Economy & Travel: Jerusalem Old City shopkeepers say inbound tourism remains weak due to flight shortages, high fares, and lingering security fears—hurting businesses across Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Armenian quarters. Politics, Identity & Education: A Scottsdale educator returns from a JNF-USA mission to bring hands-on Israel learning back to classrooms. Regional Tensions: Iran’s president calls for Muslim unity to boost regional stability, while Israel-Turkey tensions flare after strikes tied to Syria.

West Bank Politics & Memory: Far-right MK Zvi Sukkot smashed a Palestinian “Monument to the Martyrs” in Madama with a hammer while IDF soldiers guarded him, saying he was removing “terror” memorials; the IDF later said the demolition was “deceptive and manipulatively” unauthorized and stopped it. Gaza Governance Debate: Protesters near Kerem Shalom demanded the International Stabilization Force not enter Gaza, arguing only the IDF can prevent another Oct. 7-style attack. Jerusalem & UNRWA: Israel announced it seized the UNRWA Qalandia Training Center in East Jerusalem, saying it will build a new municipal complex, while UNRWA insists the site is protected. Culture & Representation: A Smithsonian-linked museum in Michigan is under renewed scrutiny over its 9/11 exhibits and programming, with critics alleging political bias and a skewed focus. Women’s Rights: The 50:50 initiative is pushing gender-balanced candidate lists ahead of Israel’s 2026 elections, aiming to boost women’s presence in decision-making. Lifestyle & Food Policy: A Reuters report highlights India’s pushback on front-of-pack sugar warnings, using Fanta labeling differences as a case study. Arts & Public Debate: Hannah Einbinder backed Mark Ruffalo after his antisemitism backlash tied to Oracle’s Israel-Gaza role.

Venice Film Festival: The Gaza documentary “NAZA,” co-directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (from “No Other Land”), has been added to the Golden Lion main competition, with the film focusing on the civilian toll in Gaza and screening Sept. 10. West Bank Culture & Memory: Palestinian painter Sliman Mansour, 79, died in Jerusalem; his decades-long work chronicled Palestinian life, women, embroidery, and resistance. Education & Society: Israel’s Teachers Union chief Yaffa Ben-David warned of a shortage of nearly 5,000 teachers and urged a strategic overhaul to restore a sense of mission. Identity & Safety Abroad: A survey found 52% of Israelis hesitate to reveal their nationality while traveling, citing antisemitic violence and weak public diplomacy. Politics & Coalition Drama: Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir traded barbs over credit after the Altalena shipwreck discovery, as Netanyahu vowed to raise it and turn it into a unity symbol. Diaspora Politics: Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed distanced himself from streamer Hasan Piker after Piker’s remarks about American Jews and Israel sparked backlash. Public Debate: The Jerusalem Post reports Israel’s “Program 720” will bring major AI firms into the education system under strict privacy and security rules.

Ultra-Orthodox Draft Protests: Haredi protesters plan to block Highway 4 near Bnei Brak on Monday afternoon over the arrest of a draft dodger, after Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara urged tougher enforcement and sanctions against evaders. Altalena Heritage Discovery: Israel says the historic 1948 Altalena shipwreck has been found intact at 503 meters off the coast, closing a “historical circle” after months of deep-sea mapping; the affair left 19 dead and remains a defining cultural memory. Sports & National Pride: Gymnast Artem Dolgopyat wins European gold again, with Israeli media hailing him as among the country’s greatest athletes. Culture & Family Entertainment: Festigal founder Miki Peled dies at 87, leaving a legacy that shaped Hanukkah-era childhoods for generations. Hollywood & Antisemitism Row: Mark Ruffalo fires back at Paramount after the studio accused him of antisemitic tropes in a dispute tied to Israel-linked technology and the Gaza war. Pop Politics in Europe: The Netherlands quits Eurovision 2027/2026 planning, citing Israel’s participation as the contest becomes a flashpoint for Gaza-related boycotts. Housing Pressure From Foreign Work: Israel’s record foreign workforce push is colliding with a looming housing crisis, as employers’ obligations meet rising reports of crowding and poor conditions. West Bank Violence: Reports highlight continued settler attacks, including on the West Bank’s last Christian village of Taybeh, despite IDF-declared restrictions. Jerusalem Property Watch: Russia presses Israel over Alexander’s Courtyard in the Old City, as officials say the ownership question remains under review.

West Bank Violence: Israeli forces killed 14-year-old Islam Ajouri during a raid in Askar refugee camp near Nablus, as violence continues to surge across the occupied territory. Gaza Strikes: Two Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza, including a building in Zawayda where a four-year-old boy was killed, after Israel warned of balloon, drone and kite launches. Al-Aqsa Vigil: An Al-Aqsa preacher urged Muslims to rally at the mosque on Aug. 25, marking the 1969 arson anniversary, amid rising tensions over worship access. Diaspora & Identity: A survey found over half of Israelis fear revealing their identity abroad since Oct. 7, citing antisemitism and anti-Israel hostility. Antisemitism in the Spotlight: In a Hollywood business fight, Paramount accused Mark Ruffalo of using “antisemitic tropes,” while Ruffalo denied the charge. Community Life: Israel’s Chief Rabbinate set new ketubah financial limits (NIS 36,000–360,000), aiming to curb unrealistic commitments. Culture & Heritage: A bulldozer damaged a Jewish cemetery in Brzesko, Poland, during unsupervised repairs, with rabbinic leaders and preservation groups condemning the breach of halachic oversight. Politics Abroad: Two Swedish Left Party MEPs were barred from entering Israel ahead of a planned visit to the Palestinian Authority.

Arts & Culture: Tel Aviv’s Nahalat Binyamin gets a wartime pop-art makeover as artist Risa Brooke Oze’s “Kat World” turns daily life in Israel into whiskered satire, with a new show running through August. Theater: Rising Star runner-up Gal De Paz makes her acting debut as Shoshana Damari in the Hebrew Theater biographical musical “Shoshana,” premiering in late October with Damari’s classic songs and a live orchestra. Politics & Society: Shas launches its first campaign video featuring a Shabbat dinner family split between yeshiva study and IDF service—prompting Yashar’s Gadi Eisenkot to demand it be removed over election-law concerns. Security & Daily Life: A stabbing near Jericho wounds a 24-year-old; IDF and police launch a manhunt as Hamas praises the attack. International Spotlight: Mark Ruffalo hits back at Paramount after it labeled his remarks “antisemitic,” calling the accusation “appalling and fundamentally dishonest.” Regional Pressure: International condemnation grows over Israel’s E1 settlement push, with activists warning it could end any viable two-state path.