An Israeli martial arts star has told the JC that he would he would “use other methods of persuasion” against Kanye West if he failed to convince the rapper to stop spouting antisemitic bile.

Natan Levy, who is among the top 100 mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters in the world, also warned all Jews need to learn self-defence given that West’s millions of social media followers “outnumber” the world’s Jewish population.

In a recent interview, the UFC fighter also issued a personal challenge to the hate rapper. He said: “Kanye West, if you’ve got a problem with me or my people, come see me, bro.”

“I will not stand for any antisemitism,” he added. “I won’t stand for any racism, not around me. Don’t bully anyone around me, or I’m going to find you.”

He told the JC that in a meeting with West, “I would tell him it stops here. I won’t let you continue with this rubbish.

“I’m sure it’s already translating itself to kids at school being bullied at school for being Jewish. I would like to sit down with him and talk to him and reason with him but if that fails I will use other methods of persuasion.”

He added: “Every Jewish person should learn self-defence. We are completely outnumbered, we are 12 million, and Kanye has five times more followers on social media.

“The US used to be the second safest place [for Jews] after Israel and now it doesn’t feel like that anymore…

“I’m disappointed no one came out and defended us. Only a small number of people came out. Perhaps they put their US citizenship first above their Jewishness, maybe they’re scared for their careers I guess.

“But this is more important and I’m not afraid to speak up. We don’t need anyone to stick up for us, we can do it ourselves. We need to fight back ourselves.”

Mr Levy previously auctioned off signed fight shorts, hoodie and poster from his first UFC win to raise money for Holocaust survivors.

Speaking after the May 2022 victory, he said: “What [survivors] went through was horrible…

“They are not going to be here for ever to tell their story.”

West’s anti-Jewish outbursts reached new lows last week when, during an interview broadcast online, he denied the Holocaust and declared to the camera: “I like Hitler.”