Watch: Anti-Semitic Thug Terrorizes Hostage Rally with Chilling ‘Khaybar’ Chant
A peaceful rally in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, advocating for Israeli hostages was disrupted by a man shouting antisemitic slurs and the threatening “Khaybar” chant, invoking a historic massacre. The incident, under investigation by Lower Merion Police, has heightened local Jewish community concerns amid a national rise in antisemitism.
A peaceful rally Yesterday in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, supporting Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza was marred by a man shouting anti-Semitic slurs and threatening chants. The incident occurred at the intersection of Morris and Lancaster Avenues, where local Jewish community members gathered to highlight the plight of 49 hostages, believed to be enduring starvation and torture. The man hurled insults like “baby killers” and “The army of Muhammad will come and ship you off to Russia,” alongside repeated chants of “Khaybar, Khaybar ya Yahud,” a phrase invoking the 628 CE Battle of Khaybar, where Muslim forces defeated the Jewish Banu Nadir tribe.
Security expert Yaniv Berdugo, a former IDF Special Forces soldier and intelligence officer fluent in Arabic, now with Protexia Security in Philadelphia, explained the chant’s gravity: “The full phrase, ‘Khaybar, Khaybar ya Yahud, Jaysh Muhammad sa-ya’ud,’ translates to ‘Khaybar, Khaybar, O Jews, the army of Muhammad will return.’ It refers to a 7th-century massacre of Jews in the Khaybar oasis and is commonly used today by extremists to glorify that violence and intimidate Jewish communities.” Berdugo noted that the chant, widely recognized as anti-Semitic hate speech, may constitute incitement, ethnic intimidation, or a hate crime under U.S. law, given its implied call to violence.
The disruption transformed a solemn event into a tense confrontation, leaving attendees shaken but resolute. Lower Merion Police are investigating and seeking public assistance to identify the suspect, urging tips at 610-649-1000. The rally, attended by 70 locals, was part of ongoing efforts to advocate for the hostages’ release, amid a 140% surge in U.S. anti-Semitic incidents in 2023, per the Anti-Defamation League. Social media on X reflected community outrage, with one user stating, “Chanting Khaybar at a hostage rally is pure hatred, Bryn Mawr deserves better.” Organizers vowed to continue their advocacy undeterred, emphasizing unity against rising antisemitism.