Two men charged with hate crime for ‘Khaybar’ chant at anti-Israel demo

From the Jewish Chronicle and The Metropolitan Police News

Two men have been charged with behaviour likely to stir up racial hatred following a demonstration where they allegedly chanted references to the 6th century massacre of Jews at the battle of Kaybar.

Khaldoun Ahmad El-Ali, 27 (23.09.95) and Mohammad Jihad Al Safi, 25 (04.10.97) were both charged on Thursday, 20 April.

The Arabic chant, “Khaybar, Khaybar Ya Yahud, Jaish Mohammed Sauf Ya’ud” means “Watch Out Jews, Remember Khaybar, the Army of Mohammed is returning”.  It has long been acknowledged by police and the Crown Prosecution Service that the chant, which is often heard at anti-Israel protests in Britain, amounts to incitement to racial hatred, but until now, prosecutions have been rare.

The two men are accused of uttering the chant at a demonstration in west London on May 22, 2021, which was addressed by the former Labour Party deputy leader John McDonnell.

The police investigation that has led to the men being charged followed a CST complaint. A CST spokesman said: “CST welcomes these charges and thanks the police for all the work they have done on this investigation following our original complaint. We hope this sends out a powerful signal regarding chanting on anti-Israel protests.”

They have been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 17 May.