Israeli pop star Dana International has defended Harry Potter author J K Rowling after she sparked a bitter row by stating that sex is determined by biology.

The author wrote last week written on Twitter: “If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased.”

Following her tweet, Ms Rowling found herself under sustained attack from some in the LBGT+ community.

But the Eurovision Song Contest winner was quick to defend the author’s comments, saying:’ “Dear J.K. Rowling, I send you love and kisses from Israel.”

“Sometimes the [LGBT] community goes to unnecessary wars with people who are totally with us,” Dana International wrote.

She added: “One can agree or disagree, but we must not jump too fast with accusations of transphobia.”

Reacting the row, Ms Rowling used her own experience of domestic violence to express concerns about safety in female only spaces and to warn against attempts to “erode ‘women’ as a political and biological class.”

It is not the first time the pair have exchanged friendly texts, with Ms Rowling having previously expressed support for Israel against the BDS movement.

Ms Rowling has also been outspoken against antisemitism in the Labour Party and her latest novel’s villain is an anti-Israel and antisemitic activist.

The UK government has drawn up proposals to stop plans set up by former Prime Minister Theresa May to let transgender people self-identify without the need for medical oversight.

A proposal drawn up by Equalities Minister Liz Truss also includes measures to prevent males using female lavatories.