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Responding with horror to the stabbings of two Jewish men in Golders Green, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: "I'm sad to say this proves that if you are visibly Jewish you are not safe in the UK." I wonder what you understood the phrase "visibly Jewish" to mean? A celebrity I won't name, celebrated widely for his geniality, told me: "Yes, those men with beards and big hats. Well, frankly, they put everybody's backs up." This stalwart of showbiz was unprepared for my robust response.

Perhaps, like him, you imagine "visibly Jewish" refers solely to Orthodox Jews whose clothing and facial hair proclaims their piety? Maybe you have convinced yourself they'd be fine if they just had a shave and took off those antiquated titfers? Possibly you haven't given the matter a second thought?

The current UK population is almost 70 million; just 330,000 of us are Jewish. We are so few; many British people have never met a Jew. I was born within the sound of Bow bells. I read English Literature at Trinity College, Cambridge.

I can recite Shakespeare's sonnets in my sleep. I am Jewish. My grandchildren are seventh-generation Jewish Londoners. I am 64 years old. A few months ago, spotting me walking to the tube after my LBC show, the leader of a Picadilly Circus pro-Palestine protest repeatedly shrieked: "Vanessa Feltz, Vanessa Feltz Fascist Zionist scum!" into the microphone before giving chase. I was scared stiff.

Let me tell you what "visibly Jewish" really means in 2026. It is the young girl in jeans, trainers and a hoodie, with an auburn ponytail, popping into a deli in Manchester for a plaited loaf of bread.

Her family is more "culturally Jewish" than religiously observant. As a nod to tradition, they make a blessing over challah every Friday night to welcome the Sabbath.

Frequenting a kosher shop immediately identifies her as Jewish. What about the blonde widow visiting her husband's grave at a Jewish cemetery, the suited and booted dad dropping his baby at a synagogue kindergarten or the children, some dual heritage with café au lait complexions, boarding the bus at the end of the school day? The badge on their blazers testifies that they attend a Jewish school.

If your intent is to hunt or kill Jewish people, finding us is easy. We are doing exactly what you do - waiting for a bus, having a blow-dry, buying a sandwich for lunch. Imagine feeling unsafe going to the dentist/post office/butcher in this wonderful country, famed for freedom and multiculturalism. Please don't turn a blind eye. You have a voice. Speak out.