A Sydney, Australia bakery is embroiled in controversy after featuring symbols linked to the militant group Hamas on a birthday cake for a four-year-old Australian boy.
The bakery, Oven Bakery by Fufu, proudly shared images of the cake on social media and garnered attention for its creation, but the New York Post reports that amid growing backlash and an investigation by the Australian Federal Police, the bakery has removed its online presence.
The New York Times reports that the cake in question Palestinian flag Next to the cake was a picture of Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaida holding up his finger. A boy dressed to resemble the figure on the cake imitated the pose, further amplifying the contentious nature of the celebration. In addition to the cake, cupcakes decorated with the same picture of Abu Ubaida and a Palestinian flag were circulated online, further fuelling the criticism.
on the other hand, Bakery While the initial reaction was positive, with some praising the boy as a “champion,” criticism soon followed, with religious leaders denouncing what they saw as brainwashing of young children, and the bakery’s social media accounts being taken down, The New York Times reported.
Australian Jewish chief executive Robert Gregory called the bakery’s decision “reprehensible” and a form of child abuse. Australian Premier Chris Minns joined in, calling the image “horrifying” and arguing that children’s parties should be characterised by innocence and joy, not divisive symbols linked to terrorism.
When NYT shared the post on X, it was viewed over 1.7 million times, with one user writing, “Kids in America can have GI Joe birthday parties and it doesn’t make the news,” while another commented, “Amazing. Amazing. Happy birthday to the little boy,” while a third X user wrote, “I wonder if they’ll sell AK and grenade themed cupcakes next,” while a fourth commented, “In America? Amazing!”
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First uploaded: 28 May 2024 11:16 IST
