Two men charged over ‘Khaybar Khaybar’ demo chant claim
Met Police confirm two men have been charged with behaviour 'likely to stir up racial hatred' and have been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 17 May.
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Two men have been charged with behaviour “likely to stir up racial hatred” at a demonstration where they allegedly chanted references to the historic massacre of Jews at the battle of Khaybar.
In a statement issued by the Metropolitan Police on Thursday it was confirmed that Khaldoun Ahmad El-Ali, 27, and Mohammad Jihad Al Safi, 25, were both charged on Thursday, 20 April.
The charges relate to a demonstration in London’s Hyde Park and Kensington High Street area on 22 May 2021.
The two males have been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 17 May.
The Community Security Trust told Jewish News they “welcome the charges and thank 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 at anti-Israel protests.”
The chant “Khaybar Khaybar, ya yahud, Jaish Muhammad”, (Jews, remember the battle of Khaybar,the army of Muhammad will return) has been heard at some anti-Israel protests.
It stems from the Muslim massacre and expulsion of the Jews of the town of Khaybar in northwestern Arabia, now Saudi Arabia, in the year 628 CE.
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