Delving further, she explained: “I just believe that Israel has the right to exist, to be the Jewish homeland in their ancient homeland, and to protect their borders.
“I think it’s also absolutely right that Arab citizens of Israel have equal rights; that is important.
“I simply do not think that Israel is practicing apartheid or genocide, or deliberate baby killing; all three things that I thoroughly deplore,” she added, referring to its military actions in Gaza in response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
When asked what she thought of a British political party passing a motion like “Zionism is Racism”, Ms Hegerty was unequivocal. “They’re a***holes basically, they’re a***holes,” she said.