UPDATE: Broadcaster and journalist Emma Barnett has disclosed that former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was compelled to intervene to stop a wave of antisemitic abuse directed at her by his supporters. In a revealing interview with Times magazine this week, Barnett, 40, detailed the horrific treatment she has faced, particularly escalating after the tragic events of October 7.
Barnett recounted that following an interview with Corbyn, the online abuse intensified to such an extent that he had to publicly plead with his supporters at a rally to cease their harassment. “I’ve been receiving sexist, derogatory and antisemitic abuse ever since I stepped into a studio,” she stated. “After one of my Jeremy Corbyn interviews, it was so bad, Corbyn himself asked on stage for people to stop messaging me.”
The BBC presenter has been vocal about her experiences of antisemitism, noting that the surge in abuse coincided with heightened tensions following the attacks on Jewish communities. She described the harrowing attack on Heaton Park Synagogue, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals, as a moment that crossed a “threshold” in Britain. “When you’ve got Jews being killed in synagogues, it’s very, very frightening,” Barnett expressed. “But I don’t believe we [Jewish people] can’t live here and be happy.”
Reflecting on the day of the synagogue attack, Barnett shared her personal turmoil, recalling how she was walking home from the gym when she learned the news. “I was very, very upset and realized I was checking the story in a different way from normal because I was trying to see if I knew anyone who had been killed,” she revealed. This emotional response highlights the deep-seated fears within the Jewish community during these turbulent times.
Barnett’s journey as a journalist has also included a poignant moment when she “came out” as Jewish live on air during her first LBC broadcast. “My throat was tight and mouth desert dry as the word fell clumsily out. ‘I am… a Jew.’ And there it was. My faith out there. Live on the radio,” she wrote. This candid admission illustrates her struggle with identity in a public space, particularly as someone who had previously operated as a “Jew in disguise.”
As antisemitism continues to rise, Barnett’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Jewish individuals in the UK and beyond. With calls for accountability and support from public figures like Corbyn, the conversation surrounding hate speech and its consequences must remain at the forefront.
What’s next? As public discourse around antisemitism develops, it will be crucial to monitor how leaders and communities respond to such incidents. The implications of Barnett’s revelations may prompt further discussions on policies and protections against hate speech.
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