London Police Investigate Man Wearing Threatening Antisemitic Shirt in Supermarket

British police in London have launched a criminal investigation after a man was recorded shopping in a supermarket in North London wearing a shirt with a threatening antisemitic slogan. The incident occurred on a Friday afternoon at a Sainsbury's store on Williamson Street in the Harringay area, which has a significant Jewish population. A Jewish shopper, who was buying items for Shabbat with his children, noticed the man’s shirt, which bore the phrase "KHAYBAR KHAYBAR YAA YAHUD" beneath an image of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This phrase is part of a notorious Islamist battle cry referencing the 628 CE Battle of Khaybar, where Jewish communities were massacred and expelled by Muhammad’s army. Today, the slogan is used globally in extremist protests as a direct and violent threat against Jews.

Initially, police officers were unaware of the historical and threatening significance of the slogan despite being provided with a translation. After consultation with antisemitism and hate speech experts, the case was officially classified as a public order offense aggravated by racial motivation. The Metropolitan Police confirmed ongoing efforts to identify and locate the suspect, with no arrests made so far. Officers remain in contact with the reporting citizen.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), which publicized the image, condemned the increasing brazenness of such displays of hatred in public spaces. The organization urged the public to provide any information that could help identify the man so that legal action can be pursued. This case highlights the escalating visibility of antisemitic threats in British streets, particularly in areas with large Jewish communities.