Emma Barnett Details Jeremy Corbyn’s Plea Amid Antisemitic Abuse

Emma Barnett, a prominent broadcaster and journalist, has disclosed that former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn intervened personally to halt the wave of antisemitic abuse directed at her by his supporters. In an interview featured in The Times magazine, Barnett, aged 40, described the harassment she has faced throughout her broadcasting career, which intensified following the events of October 7, 2023.

During a rally, Corbyn made an emotional appeal to his audience, urging them to cease the abusive messages targeting Barnett. She recounted, “After one of my Jeremy Corbyn interviews, it was so bad, Corbyn himself asked on stage for people to stop messaging me.” This public intervention underscores the severity of the situation, as Barnett has been on the receiving end of “horrible antisemitic messages” since the onset of her career.

The broadcaster expressed her alarm at the escalating nature of antisemitism, particularly following an attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue in October, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals. She reflected on the incident, stating, “[The attack] felt very different. When you’ve got Jews being killed in synagogues, it’s very, very frightening. It was a threshold crossed in Britain.” Despite the distressing circumstances, Barnett maintained a sense of resilience, asserting, “I don’t believe we [Jewish people] can’t live here and be happy.”

In her article for The Times, written on the same day as the synagogue attack, Barnett shared her personal reaction to the tragedy. While walking home from the gym, she found herself unusually emotional, checking the news to see if she knew anyone among the victims. “I was very, very upset and realised 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 remarked.

Barnett’s connection to her Jewish identity has played a significant role in her career. In a piece published for the Jewish Chronicle in 2016, she recounted her decision to publicly disclose her Jewish heritage during her inaugural LBC broadcast. “My throat was tight and mouth desert dry as the word fell clumsily out. ‘I am… a Jew,’” she recalled, highlighting the vulnerability that accompanied her revelation. Until that moment, her faith had been a private aspect of her life.

Throughout her career, Barnett described herself as a “Jew in disguise,” navigating spaces where her blonde hair and blue eyes often shielded her identity. She noted that this duality led to “illuminating moments,” allowing her to engage in conversations she might otherwise have missed. “Being an incognito Jew lands me in conversations I ordinarily wouldn’t be privy to,” she stated, expressing her hope that these interactions might challenge stereotypes and foster understanding.

As antisemitism continues to be a pressing issue in society, Barnett’s experiences shed light on the personal impact of such hostility. Her resilience and commitment to addressing these challenges underscore the importance of dialogue in combating prejudice.

In summary, Emma Barnett’s revelations about the antisemitic abuse she has faced, alongside Jeremy Corbyn’s public plea for support, highlight the ongoing struggles against hatred and discrimination. Their stories emphasize the need for continued vigilance and solidarity within communities to ensure safety and acceptance for all individuals, regardless of their background.