Journalist Julie Burchill has left the Independent newspaper in order to write a memoir of her "philosemitism".

In her final column for the paper she said she was leaving with a light heart but that it was time for her to "move over".

"I will now concentrate mainly on learning Hebrew and writing my memoir of philosemitism, Unchosen."

Ms Burchill has become known for her "admiration for the Jews and Israel" and until last year wrote regularly for the JC.

She said she would still make the occasional "foray" into journalism, adding that she would "miss my trolls too much if I retired".

She ended her Independent column with the comment: "L'hitraot! as we say in Israel – be seeing you!"