Disgraceful
London Cafe Honors Hamas Operative in Provocative Display | WATCH
ShakeShuka, billed as London's first authentic Palestinian eatery, affixed multiple images of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya to its seating area, with captions hailing him as "amazing" and declaring that he is "in everybody's heart on the planet."
The move drew sharp criticism from pro-Israel activists, who labeled it "despicable" and a form of glorifying terrorism in a city already grappling with rising antisemitism.
Heidi Bachram, a vocal advocate whose family was impacted by the October 7, 2023, Hamas atrocities, highlighted the display in a viral X post, noting its proximity, about a five-minute walk, to Jewish dining spots in the area.
"Shakeshuka guy put the face of a Hamas Colonel on chairs outside his cafe in London," she wrote, underscoring the insensitivity of the act.
Dr. Abu Safiya, formerly the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, was arrested by Israeli forces during a December 2024 raid on the facility. The IDF claims he is a colonel in Hamas's military wing, accusing him of using the hospital as a base for terrorist operations, including hostage detention, a charge supported by intelligence listings and statements from Israeli officials. He remains in Israeli custody without formal charges as of this report.
The cafe's owner, Haleem Kherallah, a Palestinian activist, has positioned ShakeShuka as more than a restaurant, it's a hub for pro-Palestinian "advocacy", featuring flags, "Save Gaza" slogans, and maps that erase Israel's existence.
This isn't the first controversy: In June 2025, patrons were filmed celebrating Iranian missile strikes on Israel with chants of "yalla bye bye Israel," drawing condemnation from Jewish community leaders. Kherallah has also been linked to efforts aimed at delisting Hamas as a terrorist group in the UK.
Critics argue the display crosses into support for terrorism, while defenders frame it as solidarity with a "humanitarian figure".
No official response from UK authorities has been reported, but Jewish organizations are calling for scrutiny amid a surge in antisemitic incidents since the Gaza war began.