Angela Epstein

THIS was the terrifying moment when I realised that as a Jewish woman who was born and raised in the UK I may not have a future here. And for once I couldn’t point the finger at Jeremy Corbyn despite the fact his Labour Party has been contaminated by anti-Semitism.

Let me explain: on Sunday morning I was invited to take part in a TV discussion programme about the political issues of the day. Anti-Semitism was not on the agenda but since this was a live show the producers wanted to get the juices flowing by introducing a warm-up debate.

With Amber Rudd’s career teetering it made sense to talk about whether the Home Secretary should go. The invited studio audience showcased a spectrum of views but when asked my opinion I could not help but wonder why Labour – so voluble in calling for Rudd’s head – could not show the same enthusiasm for getting rid of Corbyn over his handling of anti-Semitism within the party.

Surely the leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition has been guilty of similar, if not far worse errors of judgment, with his inability to deal with this toxic issue?

Even if you don’t agree, and even if it seems to go a little off piste, surely it is a remark I am entitled to make. But barely had I reached a full stop before I was subjected to booing, jeering and cries of “antiSemitism has nothing to do with it”. It was then, I realised, that perhaps my days in this country – a country that I love fiercely – may be numbered.

For it was the strength of reaction, the vociferous and intimidating response of the audience that was so deeply disturbing. Every time I attempted a rational response I was shouted down by mob invective.

Why were emotions so high? Why was there the need to respond in a manner which, for a few moments, propelled me back to the beer halls of pre-war Germany where the horrors of National Socialism started to seep into public consciousness?

AS THE only Jewish woman on the panel, being the centre of a baying mob so keen to shout down the issue of antiSemitism left me reeling with shock but also made me understand how much Labour’s hard-Left have achieved.

I was not outside a student union being hassled by Labour activists – these were ordinary men and women who felt it acceptable to unite in intimidating hysteria to shout down my views.

And it is a pity that those Labour Party members virtue signalling over the Windrush debacle don’t take the same approach towards their own leader’s behaviour towards other citizens, namely Jewish citizens.

It is something I never expected to experience in the UK. Maybe, like those Labour supporters, I have been looking the other way for too long.