A cult shop owner has defied customer backlash by saying he prays that God will ‘destroy Israel’ and ‘get rid of Zionists’ despite marketing his store as one that ‘brings people together’.
Hazem Sedda, who owns two Redfern Convenience Stores located in the inner Sydney suburbs of Redfern and Newtown, has interrupted his normal Instagram posts of exotic snacks and treats to instead show a room full of dead people.
The image posted last Friday is so confronting, Instagram has veiled it as ‘Sensitive Content’ and provided a warning that the video ‘may contain graphic or violent content’.
Hazem Sedda has upset some of his customers by posting that he prays that God will ‘destroy Israel’
In his caption Mr Sedda states the photo shows more than 50 Palestinians ‘massacred by Israeli killers’ in Gaza.
‘These people were waiting for aid to come in so they can get something to feed their children,’ he wrote.
‘God Help them. I pray to God on the first Friday of Ramadan to destroy Israel and rid the world of Zionists because they are the cause of the suffering of the Palestinian people.’
The post was met with dismay in some quarters.
‘This is a horrible thing to share. Pray for peace not death,’ one person wrote in the comments.
Another stated that it was was a ‘very horrible thing to share’.
‘I loved visiting your store and I loved your zest for life,’ the person wrote.
‘We are all hurting when humans spread hate and we are all sick of the endless killing season.
‘I do hope that instead of praying to kill that you pray for peace. You are a kind soul this post doesn’t represent the man that you are.
‘We are all angry when these things happen to either those today or Oct 7th or even before that but hating and praying for the death of others is not who we are.’
Mr Sedda’s post was met with dismay in some quarters. ‘This is a horrible thing to share. Pray for peace not death,’ one person wrote in the comments
Some thought he was taking the wrong side in the conflict.
‘Why did Hamas massacre Israelis on October 7?’ one comment read.
‘Big fan of yours but, this is only half the story. Hamas could stop this today if they wanted,’ another comment stated.
Another accused Mr Sedda of wanting to ‘completely abolish the Jews, cause it’s always been about that hasn’t it?’
However, some did not think that’s what Mr Sedda was suggesting.
‘Where did he mention Jews? Not all Israelis are Jewish,’ a person said in reply.
There were also people who expressed sympathy with Mr Sedda’s anguish.
‘I’m so sorry Hazem,’ one person wrote.
‘I can only imagine how heartbreaking this would be for you to watch. It breaks all our hearts. I’m so sorry for the world’s complacency.’
‘Free Palestine from the terrorists of the IDF,’ another stated.
Mr Sedda was hand-picked as one of the Sydneysiders celebrated alongside the Opera House’s 50th Anniversary
Mr Sedda is the son of Palestinian immigrants, taking over the shop from his dad, who fled to Sydney for a better life more than two decades ago, and is a high-profile representative of the community.
Last October he was hand-picked to be one of the Sydneysiders celebrated along with the 50 Anniversary of the Opera House, posting images of himself wearing a keffiyeh, which is traditional Palestinian scarf or headwear.
‘It was an honor, as a Palestinian-born and the proud owner of the Greatest Redfern Convenience Store on Earth, to be part of this special day at the Opera House,’ he wrote.
Mr Sedda, who is friends with Sydney radio personality Ben Fordham, has gained fame by posting about his shop online, featuring a ‘Customer of the Day’ and international snacks and treats that are otherwise hard to find in .
He has sponsored billboards that boast his shop ‘brings Redfern together’ because of its cosmopolitan wares.
Fans of the shop include ABC presenter Annabelle Crabb, US singer Slayyyter and n DJ duo, Peking Duk.
Previously Mr Sedda had avoided posting political content but that changed after fighting broke out following the October 7 bloody invasion of Israel by Hamas fighters.
‘God, help the Palestinian people gain their freedom; this is the only way to get our freedom back,’ he declared on his Instagram in the days following the attack.
‘Enough is enough. The suffering of the Palestinian people from occupation and violence is a painful and complex story that spans many decades. Palestinians live under difficult conditions and ongoing conflicts that encompass several aspects.’
Mr Sedda’s shop shot to Instagram fame by telling the stories of customers and promoting international foods and drinks that are hard to find in
The posts generated both positive and negative feedback but Mr Sedda was unfazed by the backlash.
‘This is the extent of what they can do: giving our business a bad review,’ he said of those criticising him.
‘They believe it can impact on business. Or stop the Palestinians from getting their freedom back.
He said the cause was too important for him not to speak up, whatever the cost.
For the people who think this post is going to affect our family business, I care deeply about my people, who have been losing their lives in the hundreds at the hands of Israeli forces for the last 75 years,’ he wrote.
‘It’s more likely that I prioritise my concern for my people over my business. End of the line.’
Mr Sedda did not wish to comment when contacted by Daily Mail .