Dawn French is facing criticism for appearing to downplay the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel in a recent social media video.
The 67-year-old British comedian and actress shared a video on X, where she seems to satirise supporters of Israel amid its ongoing military operations in Gaza.
In the clip, posted Thursday, French, using a "baby voice", comments on the Middle East conflict, saying: “Complicated, no, but nuanced. But the bottom line is no.”
She then appears to parody common justifications for Israel’s actions in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack in 2023, stating: “Yeah but you know they did a bad thing to us’...
— Dawn French 💙🔴🏳️🌈🇺🇦🇵🇸 (@Dawn_French) June 5, 2025
The video sparked swift backlash online, with many users expressing outrage over what they perceived as a "disgusting" take on the October 7 Hamas attacks.
One user on X wrote: “Gary Lineker described October 7th as ‘the Hamas thing’. Dawn French mocked October 7th as ‘oooh but they did a bad thing’. The October 7th massacre really brought out the worst traits amongst celebrities. They’re both disgusting people.”
Heidi Bachram, a prominent pro-Israel activist, shared a powerful response alongside a photo of her slain relatives: “This is my husband’s cousin Tsachi who was kidnapped from his home on October 7 by Hamas and was returned to us in a coffin.
"Next to him is his 18-year-old daughter Ma’ayan who was shot in the head just before he was taken. They deserve more than your smug dismissal.”
Journalist Alex Hearn also weighed in, writing: “Dawn French probably expected to be celebrated like Lineker was, as a virtuous national treasure. It is easy to see why this might seem like an easy target, because it has worked for so many.
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Dawn French was met with backlash for her tweet
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“Instead it backfired and this sneering disdain, dismissing the massacre of Jews, was met with disgust and outrage. Instead of reflecting, Dawn will probably claim to be the victim, unfairly targeted and misunderstood. Because this was never about anything other than Dawn French.”
Others echoed similar sentiments. One user wrote, “You exploit our suffering for fame. Shame on you!”
Another added: “God, that's horrible. I don't like what's happening in Gaza, I don't like Netanyahu, but using a whiny baby voice to talk about Oct 7th as if people are being over-sensitive about it?”
Another user shared a disturbing video of Israeli woman Shani Louk’s body being paraded through Gaza during the October 7 attacks, commenting: “You’re a horrid, horrid person. Here’s what happens to a Jewish woman in Gaza Dawn, stripped naked and beaten through the streets after being spat on by the kids.
"Specifically on the day of the ‘bad thing.’ But no. Of course, ‘you’re on the right side of history.’”
Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023, massacre carried out by Hamas
GETTYLee Kern, a comedy writer and advocate for Israel and the Jewish people wrote: “What you sneeringly mock as a ‘bad thing’ included the grieving children I met in hospital whose friends and family had been murdered, kidnapped and raped and who themselves were coming to terms with their own life-altering injuries.
“It also includes the 1,200 people murdered and tortured on October 7th… you proactively broadcast - with misplaced pride - a wicked glee in your mockery and dismissal of Jewish suffering, pain and death.”
Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023, massacre carried out by Hamas, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage.
Currently, 56 hostages are still being held by the terrorist group in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive.
At least 54,677 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
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