London police have opened an investigation after a man was photographed in a heavily Jewish area of the city wearing a shirt bearing an antisemitic slogan that invokes a 7th-century battle involving Jews.
The incident was reported by the Campaign Against Antisemitism, or CAA, after a Jewish man who was shopping with his children at a Sainsbury’s supermarket in north London contacted police.
The shirt bore the words 'Khaybar Khaybar yaa Yahud'
(Photo: Campaign Against Antisemitism)
The shirt bore the words “Khaybar Khaybar yaa Yahud,” the opening of an Arabic chant that continues with the words, “the army of Muhammad is returning.”
The chant refers to the Battle of Khaybar in the 7th century, when Muslim forces led by Muhammad fought Jewish tribes living around the oasis of Khaybar, in what is now Saudi Arabia. In modern usage, the slogan has been widely condemned as antisemitic because it is invoked as a threat against Jews.
The Metropolitan Police told the CAA that officers received a report at about 3:35 p.m. last Friday of a man seen inside a supermarket on Williamson Road in Haringey wearing a shirt displaying what was believed to be antisemitic wording.
Police initially spoke with the Jewish man who made the report and obtained a translation shortly afterward. Officers were not initially aware of the slogan’s meaning or historical context, according to the account provided by the CAA.
After consulting officers with relevant expertise, police recorded the incident as a suspected racially aggravated public-order offense.
“Officers are in contact with the victim and inquiries to identify the individual involved are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this stage,” police said.
The CAA said the incident should be dealt with forcefully.
“This abhorrent intimidation must be met with the full force of the law,” the organization said.
It added that antisemitic incitement and hatred were becoming increasingly overt, “to the point that they are now being displayed casually in everyday public spaces.”
The group said Jews were being subjected to intimidation and abuse while going about their daily lives, and argued that such incidents would continue unless those responsible faced consequences.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism called on anyone who recognized the man or had information that could assist the investigation to contact the organization confidentially.