Trial of defendants in “Khaybar” chant case inexplicably delayed until four years after alleged incident

The trial of two men who have been charged with stirring up racial hatred after they reportedly performed the “Khaybar” chant at a London protest in 2021 has inexplicably been delayed until four years after the alleged incident.

A trial date set for May 2025 was decided this afternoon at Isleworth Crown Court.

Last month, the defendants pleaded “not guilty” at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The chant “Khaybar Khaybar, ya yahud, Jaish Muhammad, sa yahud” can be translated in English as “Jews, remember the battle of Khaybar, the army of Muhammad is returning.”

The “Khaybar” chant is a classic Arabic battle cry referencing the massacre and expulsion of the Jews of the town of Khaybar in northwestern Arabia, now Saudi Arabia, in the year 628 CE. The chant has been heard in numerous anti-Israel rallies in Britain and abroad.

Khaldoun Ahmad El-Ali, 27, and Mohammad Jihad Al Safi, 25, had the charges brought against them after they were identified by CST.

The pair have been released on unconditional bail until the preliminary hearing scheduled for later this year.

A CST spokesman said at the time: “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.”