Britain is an increasingly difficult place for Jews to live, the chief executive of Virgin Atlantic has warned.

Shai Weiss, born in Jerusalem and formerly a tank commander in the Israeli army, said he was concerned about the rise in anti-Semitic abuse since war broke out between Israel and Hamas.

While he has not been personally subjected to anti-Semitism, he said identifiable Jews are “suffering for sure” amid heightened political tensions.

Mr Weiss, who has lived in London for three decades and describes himself as a secular Israeli, told The Telegraph: “I’ve always been fortunate.

“The number of incidents I have experienced personally over 27 years in the UK is not more than a handful of innuendos, jokes and comments.

“Israel was never the issue. Rather it was silly jokes about Jews from people I knew, especially about money. Finance, blah, blah, blah, you know where this is going. Bigotry.

“Now, though, it’s a difficult period for Jews in the United Kingdom. If you’re identifiable you’re suffering for sure. Nothing happens to me. But I haven’t been to the demonstrations.”