AGP Executive Report

Ireland-Israel Football Row: Republic of Ireland’s Nations League clash in Hungary is in limbo as boycott pressure mounts; the team’s pre-match press conference and training were delayed, with reports that goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu told teammates he doesn’t want to play and others may follow. Israeli Arts Spotlight: Jerusalem’s Fringe Center is staging Sarit Brown’s intimate musical “The Last Five Years” for Sukkot, while the Israel Museum shows a fresh side of Menashe Kadishman beyond the “sheep painter” label. Film & Culture: Israeli director Erez Tadmor brings “Matchmaking 3” to New York, and Gaza documentary “NAZA” keeps sparking global debate. West Bank Under Pressure: Israeli forces raided Birzeit University campus near Ramallah during exam season, with the university condemning it as a violation of educational sanctity. Diplomacy & Holy Sites: Malaysia backs a UN-linked mechanism to document Israel’s alleged violations at Jerusalem’s holy sites.

Music & Pop Culture: Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour takes another hit as his Gillette Stadium shows in Massachusetts are canceled due to severe nor’easter weather, with refunds promised—on top of the earlier Macklemore “Free Palestine” fallout that already triggered lineup shakeups. Arts & Film: The New York Film Festival opens with major premieres and buzz titles, including Gaza-focused documentary attention around NAZA, which is also set for free online streaming after its theatrical run. Israeli Arts/Media: A Palestinian-American journalist, Naqa’a Bajis Hamed, remains detained by Israeli authorities, raising fresh press-freedom concerns. Security & Society: Two Israeli soldiers were killed after a drone explosion in northern Gaza, with IDF grounding similar combat drones pending investigation. Sports & Politics: Amnesty staged an “Stop the Genocide” protest during Austria vs “Israel” in the Nations League, adding to the week’s wider debate over sport and Gaza. Local Culture: Portland’s Jewish Festival drew nearly 4,000 for music, food, and “loud and proud” community joy.

Protest in New York: Oscar winner Susan Sarandon and “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder were among about 100 people detained outside the UN during an anti-Netanyahu sit-in, after police said protesters blocked an intersection despite warnings. Music & activism: Macklemore, dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour over pro-Palestinian remarks, announced a new “Free Palestine Tour” with late-October dates in London, Paris and Dublin, saying proceeds will support Palestinian organizations. Film spotlight: The Gaza documentary “NAZA,” which alleges mass civilian casualties, is set to go free online in November after a Venice run, with directors citing public demand and offering free cinema screenings. Local culture: Israel’s Culture and Sports Ministry officially recognized cheerleading’s governing body, paving the way for national teams and competitions. Arts & place: Jerusalem’s Armenian boy was attacked with pepper spray by extremists on Yom Kippur, while Kiryat Shmona’s hidden “Gold Stream” waterfall story adds a lighter local nature angle. Sports: Cheerleading’s breakthrough and the Nations League Israel-Ireland controversy keep the week’s entertainment-and-sport headlines tightly linked to politics.

Nations League Drama: Israel’s Saied Abu Farchi was sent off after a controversial gun-mimic celebration during Austria’s 3-1 win, adding fuel to a wider sports-and-politics storm around Israel fixtures. UN Protest Crackdown (Entertainment): Susan Sarandon and “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder were among reported 100+ detained in New York during a sit-in against Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of his UN address. Music Meets Activism: Macklemore, dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour over pro-Palestinian remarks, announced a new “Free Palestine” headline tour with proceeds going to Palestinian organizations. Iran’s UN Standoff: President Masoud Pezeshkian denied nuclear ambitions and said it’s “up to” the US to end the war, while also blaming Washington for blocking diplomacy. Gaza’s Human Cost (Culture/Policy): A UN-linked report says Gaza’s economy has hit the world’s “most severe crisis on record,” with reconstruction needs pegged at $71.5B. Football Boycott Pressure (Ireland): Irish players and figures including James McClean urged a boycott of Israel matches, as Ireland’s campaign continues amid escalating public backlash.

Global Film Release: Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor’s Venice Special Jury Prize doc NAZA is rolling out theatrically in 56 territories from Sept. 28, then going free worldwide on The Guardian website, with Israel and the occupied territories still being explored for access. Arts & Culture: A Tel Aviv screening of The Bridge brought Oct. 7 survivors together with music industry figures, using a US rock camp as a coping and connection project. Sports & Entertainment: UEFA Nations League action kicks off with multiple Israel-related fixtures, including Austria vs. Israel and Kosovo vs. Republic of Ireland, as coverage and controversy continue to swirl. EuroLeague Update: Maccabi Tel Aviv prepares for its season opener while officials push for EuroLeague games to return to Israel, with a visit from league leadership planned. Music Backlash Watch: Ed Sheeran’s tour fallout over Macklemore’s pro-Palestine remarks continues to ripple through fan reactions and social media metrics. Local Sports Charity: “Shine for Shani” football and baking events raised £30,000 in memory of a child treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

UNGA Showdown: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian told the UN he “will never bend the knee,” calling Iran the “victim of terrorism” after Trump’s “annihilate” threat, while the US delegation walked out. Diplomacy vs. escalation: Pezeshkian insisted any deal must include access to the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the blockade, as US officials kept talking about possible negotiations. Football & politics collide: Amnesty urged UEFA/FIFA to block Israel’s participation in the Nations League, warning it “rubber-stamps apartheid,” as Ireland’s Heimir Hallgrimsson admitted his Gaza comments’ timing was “not clever” ahead of matches vs Israel. Pop culture fallout: Ed Sheeran’s Instagram reportedly dropped by 500,000 after Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” tour controversy, with ticket prices falling and the saga still driving debate over art, speech, and politics. Israel sports spotlight: Bnei Sakhnin’s Mathew Anim Cudjoe signed a Wolt+ ambassador deal, adding a fresh entertainment-and-sport angle to Israel’s mainstream media.

Sports & Politics Collide: Ireland’s Nations League build-up is getting louder by the day as coach Heimir Hallgrímsson says “we’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide,” prompting Israel FA backlash and a public defense from Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the UN. Entertainment & TV: Israeli distributor Keshet International is shopping Mipcom slate including the drama On Standby (Season 2) and scripted titles like The Escape, plus doc Iran’s Most Wanted. Music & Culture Wars: Paramore’s Hayley Williams shouted “F* ICE! Free Palestine!” during a New Hampshire show amid the wider Ed Sheeran–Macklemore tour fallout. **Film & Storytelling: Doha Film Festival will open with Yemen-set drama The Station, a women-only petrol-station story of resilience. Security & Diplomacy: Israeli officials warn of possible regional escalation as US-Iran talks resume on UNGA sidelines, while Iran signals it wants an end to war on all fronts.

Israel-Ireland Football Row: Ireland’s PM Micheál Martin called the Israel FA’s attack on coach Heimir Hallgrímsson “unacceptable,” after the coach said Ireland were “playing against genocide” ahead of Nations League matches. Protest Pressure: More than 160 Irish athletes signed an open letter urging a boycott, with demonstrations outside the team’s Dublin hotel and more planned nationwide. Culture & Funding: SHOOQ, a new digital platform, is matching Jewish film/TV/podcast creators with donors to support Jewish storytelling amid a wave of antisemitism. TV & Music: KAN’s hit sitcom “Checkout” returns with Season 6 in Israel, and a Netflix comedy special from Nimesh Patel lands with topical jokes. Entertainment Exports: Sipur Studios secured international sales for Noa Kirel’s young-adult romance series “Mírame Así…” for Prime Video in Latin America. Art Market: Christie’s announced the Herbert Lust collection, led by a $30M Giacometti, ahead of major marquee sales.

Tel Aviv Music: Boy George is set to bring his 360-degree show to Menora Mivtachim Arena on Nov. 4, with tickets opening Sept. 23 (NIS 280–799). The Culture Club frontman has long backed Israel and previously released “We Will Dance Again” inspired by Oct. 7 and Nova. Film & Culture: The 64th New York Film Festival runs Sept. 25–Oct. 12, spotlighting “NAZA,” a Gaza-focused documentary already sparking major controversy. Music, Politics & Backlash: Ed Sheeran’s Gaza-era tour drama continues to ripple, with reports of a sharp Instagram follower drop after his emotional onstage comments and the Macklemore fallout. Sports & Boycotts: Ireland-Israel fixtures are still under pressure as Irish athletes and clubs push boycott demands; the Israel FA has hit back hard at Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. Jerusalem Orchestra: TJO Youth-Galilee heads to the UN General Assembly in New York, performing at an opening event and jamming with David Broza. Tech & Innovation: Beamr and Intempora will demo real-time, ML-safe lossless compression for RTMaps at AutoSens Europe and in Herzliya.

Gaza on screen: The documentary “NAZA” is heading for a U.S. premiere after sparking praise and backlash, with Israel furious at its portrayal of the war and its impact on public debate. Pop culture fallout: Ed Sheeran’s Gaza comments and his tour dispute with Macklemore have turned into a full-blown culture war, with new stage remarks, public apologies, and even comedy jabs (including “SNL UK”) keeping the controversy in the spotlight. Sport as protest: More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter urging Ireland’s national team to boycott UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel, while Ireland’s broadcaster RTÉ faces criticism for not covering the matches on radio. Local arts & community: A Jerusalem yeshiva in East Jerusalem is taking UK charity money and planning expansion, while Milwaukee’s early-music scene marks growth and a new season celebrating pre-1800 composers. Health-tech business: Respiree’s Series A expands with international investors, backing its AI platform for tracking disease progression across care settings.

Music & Politics: Ed Sheeran kept his Loop tour moving in Philadelphia but used the stage to address the Israel-Gaza war after the Macklemore fallout, calling the situation “catastrophic and unjustifiable,” saying he “can’t hide” his feelings, and apologizing for “mistakes” while also removing a B-stage over fears of what could happen. Pop Culture Backlash: The controversy spilled into comedy as SNL UK mocked Sheeran for “sitting on the fence,” while public debate raged over what he should have said. Humanitarian Spotlight: Macklemore’s $1M pledge to Palestinian relief groups drew fresh attention to ongoing needs, with charities describing continued trauma and urgent calls for help. Arts in Israel/Palestine: A new production, David Hare’s Via Dolorosa, is heading to Bridport, using Hebrew and Arabic songs to trace journeys through Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Gaza and Ramallah. Sports & Boycotts: Irish athletes signed an open letter urging Ireland’s men’s team to boycott Nations League matches against Israel.

Pop Culture Fallout: Ed Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia and apologized for “making mistakes,” calling the Gaza war “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate” after rapper Macklemore was dropped from his Loop Tour over pro-Palestinian stage remarks; the speech sparked fresh debate online, with reports of teleprompter-reading claims and security changes including removing a B-stage. Satire & Backlash: SNL UK mocked Sheeran in a cold open about “sitting on the fence,” while more coverage focused on whether his apology was sincere or strategic. Global Spotlight on Israel-Palestine: The controversy kept spilling into mainstream media and celebrity commentary, including a Gorillaz stunt using a Palestinian flag. Local Life in Israel: Israel shut down for Yom Kippur, with transport suspended and a general closure in the West Bank. Arts & Media in the Region: A French TV channel apologized after pulling a documentary that used a 3D nuclear-strike simulation depicting Tel Aviv.

Pop Culture Fallout: Ed Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia after the Macklemore “Free Palestine” controversy, apologizing for “mistakes” and saying he “cannot hide” his feelings about Gaza, calling the situation “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,” while also describing the Oct. 7 Nova attacks as “horrific.” Comedy & Commentary: Saturday Night Live UK piled on with a sketch mocking Sheeran’s “fence-sitting,” alongside King Charles and AI Diana jokes. Human Cost in the Region: Gaza’s health officials reported Israeli strikes killing at least four people, including a 10-year-old girl and the son of a senior Gaza health official. West Bank Restrictions: The Israeli army closed checkpoints in the northern West Bank, blocking more than 100 teachers from reaching schools, and raided a village near Ramallah, disrupting access and work. Local Arts & Healing: Jerusalem Biennale coverage highlights art as a catalyst for post–Oct. 7 healing. Music & Community: Netanyahu joined a massive Selichot gathering at the Western Wall, with the service broadcast widely and attended by former hostages and survivors.

Music & Politics: Ed Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia and broke down in tears, calling Gaza “catastrophic and unjustifiable” while apologizing for the week’s turmoil after Macklemore was removed from his Loop Tour over pro-Palestine remarks; protesters gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field, ticket prices reportedly dropped, and multiple opening acts have been in flux. Humanitarian Spotlight: Macklemore’s $1M pledge of his Loop Tour net earnings is being routed to Palestinian aid groups including UNRWA, with charities saying the money brings both relief and renewed attention to ongoing suffering. Arts in Jerusalem: The Jerusalem Biennale opens its biggest edition yet with the theme “De Profundis,” turning post–Oct. 7 trauma into city-wide contemporary art across 21 venues. Culture & Community: A new review of the Israeli release of “At Work” highlights the emotional grind of a struggling novelist, while a Yom Kippur piece reflects on Jewish time, belonging, and tradition. Regional Reality Check: Israel’s military closed the last route to a West Bank village, isolating 47 families, as Gaza’s academic year resumes after a three-year disruption.

Arts & Culture in Israel: Haifa International Film Festival brings celebrated cinema and classics to the Carmel, while Jerusalem Artists House unveils a new set of exhibitions for the New Year. Film & Society: Israeli cinema’s Yom Kippur-inspired stories of guilt and redemption get a spotlight, alongside coverage of Israeli documentary “NAZA” and the backlash it’s sparked. Music & Politics (Global, with local resonance): Ed Sheeran’s US tour crisis after Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks is spilling into protests and major lineup shakeups, with Macklemore’s $1M pledge to Palestinian aid groups bringing both relief and renewed attention. Religion & Heritage: The surprising history of Kol Nidre and how prayer books preserve centuries of Jewish history—plus National Library of Israel highlights rare Yom Kippur artifacts. Human Stories: A Gaza cultural centre rehearsal shows actors performing trauma they’re still living, as families struggle to find basics amid the war. Local Hard News: Israeli forces seal the last access route to Khirbet Ras al-Ahmar, isolating 47 West Bank families. Cybersecurity: Handala claims it hacked hundreds of phones tied to Israel’s security structures, releasing selfie images.

Israeli Screen & Storytelling: The US is testing appetite for Israeli spy drama with “Checkout” (a dark Mossad comedy opening in Manhattan) and Netflix’s “Fauda” season 5, both arriving amid rising international scrutiny of Israeli culture exports. Hebrew & Newcomers: Jerusalem ulpan founder Ami Steinberger reflects on 18 years of teaching Hebrew to olim, while a French immigrant’s online quiz, knesset2026.com, helps first-time voters navigate Israel’s 2026 election in multiple languages. Tour Politics Turn Pop Culture: The Ed Sheeran–Macklemore fallout keeps spilling into entertainment: a Gaza mural thanks Macklemore for “Free Palestine,” and more artists reportedly pull out in solidarity as Sheeran scrambles to protect his Loop Tour. Sports & Identity Clash: Republic of Ireland’s Nations League plan to play Israel triggers fresh debate after UEFA rejected the FAI’s request to keep the teams apart. Community & Faith Life: Stories on mixed-faith Israeli couples navigating Shabbat and Yom Kippur, plus a Holocaust educator’s push to confront hatred through teaching.