On Sunday night, Israeli forces stormed the Palestinian National Theater, El-Hakawati, in occupied East Jerusalem, shutting down a children’s musical show titled “Dreams Under the Olive Trees.”

Following direct instructions from far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the theater was raided and closed down just before a group of children were scheduled to perform.

In a short video uploaded by Middle East Eye, a man can be seen demanding that all participants vacate the building within five minutes. A young Palestinian girl can also been seen crying.

“I don’t want to see anyone here in 5 minutes.”

Israeli intelligence forces stormed the Hakawati Theatre, also known as the Palestinian National Theatre in East Jerusalem, and abruptly shut down a children’s performance, threatening the audience with just five minutes to leave.… pic.twitter.com/llDo6OHpIr

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) November 24, 2025

In another video, posted to X by Haaretz journalist Nir Hasson, a group of children, still in their performance costumes, can be seen weeping and panicking as they are ordered from the building.

כאן הילדים, עדיין בתלבושות ההצגה, בפאניקה אחרי הפיזור האלים. אין בכלל ספק שהשוטרים תרמו רבות לביטחון וריבונות הישראלית בירושלים הבוקר. pic.twitter.com/r2IKMQ5hRz

— نير حسون Nir Hasson ניר חסון (@nirhasson) November 24, 2025

An independent institution that receives no funding from either the Palestinian Authority or the Israeli government, El-Hakawati is a major hub for Palestinian culture and artistic resistance to occupation, and as such has faced repeated threats and closures by Israeli authorities over the years.

In May 2009, Jerusalem police, acting on an order issued by then-Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, shut down the opening event of the Palestinian Literature Festival held there. In June 2013, Aharonovitch ordered the theater closed for eight days, preventing a planned puppet theater festival on the grounds that it was funded by the Palestinian Authority in violation of the Oslo framework. In 2016, an event titled “Reviving Palestinian Culture” was banned because one of the invited guests was the Palestinian Authority’s then-Culture Minister, poet Ehab Bessaiso.

This raid is the latest in a series of attacks by Israeli soldiers and settlers on Palestinian cultural institutions across the West Bank since October 7, 2023. In February of this year, Israeli police raided two Palestinian bookstores in occupied east Jerusalem, confiscating books and arresting one of the owners and his nephew. A year prior, the IDF raided and destroyed two publishing houses in Ramallah. In December 2023, Israeli soldiers ransacked, vandalized, and forced the closure of the Freedom Theater, the Palestinian community-based theater and cultural center located within the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank.

These attacks on West Bank cultural institutions came amid the near-complete destruction of Gaza’s cultural sector by Israeli bombardment.

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A 24-year-old Israeli woman shared a text she allegedly received from Brett Dahan after applying for a job at The Garden of Eden Nursery in Albert Park.

The young woman, who has been in Australia for less than a month and wished to remain anonymous, told the Herald Sun she was “shocked” when she received Mr. Dahan’s rejection message.

In the message, Mr. Dahan told the Jewish woman that the position had been filled by “someone with a semblance of humanity”.

The business man wished the woman good luck on her journey before saying he hopes she leaves Melbourne “soon.”

“Free Palestine and end genocide NOW. You’re complicit in IT,” the text read.

Mr. Dahan reportedly told the Herald Sun over the phone that he “did not know” why he had sent the message, with the publication saying he did not answer any follow up questions.

The woman said she was “shocked and deeply disappointed” by the message, saying she had believed she would be welcomed after moving here.

“I came to Australia believing it was a fair and welcoming country but reading those words – so full of hostility – was heartbreaking,” she said.

“I was judged, not as a person, but as an Israeli.”

It is illegal to discriminate against a job applicant based on their nationality under Australia’s Equal Opportunity Act.

Brett Dahan, one of the co-owners of The Garden of Eden Nursery in Albert Park, sent an anti-semitic rejection text message to a job applicant.

The situation has sparked massive backlash from the Jewish community, with a protest being held outside The Garden of Eden Nursery on Monday.

The business, which is run by Brett and his twin brother Scott Dahan has since released a statement apologising to the Jewish community and expressing “regret” over the situation.

“The Garden of Eden Nursery would like to express its regret and extend its sincere apologies to the community in regards to the recent message sent to a member of the public by a staff member,” the statement shared to the business’ Instagram page reads.

However, it appears the apology did not come directly from Brett Dahan, as the statement notes the message was sent via a personal account and “we were unaware of it until it became public.”

The woman, a 24-year-old Israeli, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Herald Sun she was “shocked” when she received an offensive message from Mr. Dahan.

“We are deeply upset and disappointed by the content of the message, which in no way reflects the values, standards, or spirit of our business or team,” the business claimed, adding the matter was being addressed internally.

“Our commitment has always been to foster a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for our customers, staff, and all communities,” the business said.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out, we value your continued support and understanding as we work to ensure this does not happen again.”

News.com.au has contacted The Garden of Eden Nursery for clarification on whether Mr Dahan has apologised to the woman directly and what steps are being taken to rectify the situation.

The rejection message from The Garden of Eden Nursery owner included the caption, “Free Palestine and end genocide NOW. You’re complicit in IT.”

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman, Dr Dvir Abramovich, has slammed the apology, saying it “doesn’t cut it”.

“Mr Dahan’s repugnant text wasn’t a slip. It was a deliberate, written act meant to humiliate and degrade,” he said.

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“Apologizing ‘to the community’, blaming ‘a staff member’, and saying it will be handled ‘internally’ is not accountability. The message came from a co-owner. When ownership presses send, the business speaks in its own voice.”

Dr Abramovich said the community demands a personal apology from Mr. Dahan to the woman he “demeaned”, along with “real consequences” for his actions.

He also called for independent anti-discrimination training for all staff and a public update detailing the actions taken and how complaints will be handled going forward.

“Fix this today. Anything less is permission for hate,” he said.

The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) also criticised the nursery, branding the message an “ugly attack” and saying there must be “consequences”.

“If the Jewish community doesn’t stand up to this hatred, it will only grow,” the AJA said.

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Or was attending the Nova music festival with his partner, Noa Argamani, near Kibbutz Reim when Hamas conducted a terror attack against communities near the Gaza border on October 7, 2023. Or and Argamani were both taken captive and held separately. Argamani was rescued in June 2024 during an Israeli military operation and was a prominent advocate for the release of Or and other hostages after she was freed.

After the US brokered a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, Or was released on Monday along with other surviving hostages after more than two years in captivity.

“I am profoundly moved and deeply grateful to share that, just moments ago, our colleague, Avinatan Or, was released to the Red Cross in Gaza,” Huang wrote. “After two unimaginable years in Hamas captivity, Avinatan has come home.”

Calcalist reported that Or started working for Nvidia in 2022 after he received an electrical engineering degree from Ben-Gurion University. He worked as an engineer in Nvidia’s VLSI group, which is part of the company’s networking division and plays a key role in Nvidia’s semiconductor design operations in Israel.

Released Israeli hostage Avinatan Or gesturing towards a crowd of well-wishers after arriving at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel on Oct. 13, 2025. Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Footage of Or getting abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. AP

Huang wrote that Or’s mother, Ditza, “inspired us all” through her “strength, courage, and unwavering hope.”

He also said that Nvidia’s employees in Israel “stood with her in vigil, united in determination that Avinatan would return home safely. That unity reflected the very best of who we are.”

“Thousands of Nvidia employees have served with extraordinary bravery in defense of their communities during the war,” Huang continued. “Many have faced immense pain, loss, and uncertainty. Some have lost family members or loved ones.”

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang released a letter expressing gratitude at the release of his employee Or. AFP via Getty Images

The Nvidia co-founder’s letter referenced several personal losses that hit Nvidia’s team in Israel, including the death of employee Amit Chayut as well as the killing of Danielle Waldman and her partner. 

Stay up to date on the Israel-Hamas cease-fire exchange

Waldman is the daughter of Mellanox founder Eyal Waldman, whose company was acquired by Nvidia.

“The losses to our Jewish, Druze, and Arab families alike have been immense. Grief knows no borders, no faiths, no divisions. We mourn together, and we hope together — for peace, understanding, and a future without fear,” Huang wrote.

Or reunited with his girlfriend Noa Argamani after his release. Courtesy of Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS

Moshe Or celebrating his brother’s release at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

“Avinatan — welcome home. Your safe return brings profound relief and joy to the entire Nvidia family. May this moment market the first step toward recovery, renewal, and lasting peace — for all who have been touched by this war.”

A Nvidia spokesperson declined to comment about the letter.

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