Felicity Kendal says young Jewish people 'do not dare to wear the Star of David in public' and anti-semitism is growing on Britain's streets
Felicity Kendal said Jewish people are terrified to wear the Star of David in public and there is 'growing antisemitism' in the UK.
The Good Life star has found herself wearing a Star of David necklace every day in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks.
But she said wearing the star has become politically associated with Israel's war against Hamas.
Talking in an exclusive interview with journalist Rob McGibbon for The Times Magazine, she warned: 'I know young people who would not dare to wear a Star of David now.
'That is wrong. I don’t think we are getting it right.'
Felicity Kendall arrives at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on July 12 wearing her Star of David necklace
The actress has vowed to continue to wear the Star of David after being thanked by Jewish people in the street
The 77-year-old actress said she used to wear the necklace as 'a kind of protection' but now it feels 'quite the opposite'.
Although, she has vowed to continue to wear the Star of David after being thanked by Jewish people in the street.
She added: 'I was in a shop in Chelsea when a woman came over and said, "You’re brave to wear that. You know, it could be a bit dangerous."
'A day or so later, I was walking in Battersea Park when another woman said, "Thank you for wearing that."
'I was quite taken aback. Would people say anything like that to someone wearing a cross or a turban?
'It made me think, right, I am wearing this all the time now, and I do.
'If someone might find a little piece of jewellery insulting or inflammatory then we are in a really tricky place as a country. Where does it end?'
Kendal was brought up Catholic but found herself drawn to Judaism in her late twenties before officially converting in her thirties.
She also told the paper that every Jewish person she knows feels antisemitism is growing and needs to be calmed down.
Kendal claims there is a misunderstanding that every Jewish person is responsible for the war in Gaza.
She said: 'I also don’t know a single Jewish person who thinks Netanyahu is right.
'There has to be a ceasefire — but on both sides. Israel has to stop and Hamas has to stop too, and give back the hostages.
'Everyone should join the cry for peace. That is what is important. All this hate must stop.'
