Dawn French sparks backlash after filming peculiar video about October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel

Daily Mail​

18 hours ago

Dawn French has sparked a ferocious backlash after describing the October 7 attacks unleashed by Hamas terrorists on Israel as 'a bad thing' during a bizarre social media rant.
The Vicar of Dibley star, 67, posted to X discussing her thoughts on the 'nuanced' situation in Israel and Gaza.
Adopting a baby-like voice, French appeared to belittle supporters of Israel's actions amid the ongoing war against Hamas.
During the 40-second video, the actress can be heard saying: 'Complicated, no, but nuanced. But [the] bottom line is no,' inferring that Israel should cease its military campaign.
The British comedian then adopted more infantile tones as she gave an impression of those with opposing views to her own.
'Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us...and we want that land...and we have history… Those people aren't really even people, are they?' she can be heard saying in a whining manner.
At the end of each statement French returns to her natural voice and emphatically says 'No'.
Critics have seized upon the video, which has racked up 4.7million views since it was first posted on Thursday, and accused French of 'mocking' the events of October 7.
Actress and playwright Tracy-Ann Oberman, who is Jewish, said she was 'saddened' by the post.
'This mocking voice 'bad thing' of October 7 that Dawn (who I revere by the way) appears to be mocking involved the most horrific terrorist attack involving rape, sexual violence, burning alive child, mutilation and the taking of civilian hostages.
'Why would Dawn seem to deny that which has affected so many of us personally in the most painful way possible.
'I can mourn the horrors of the war in Gaza whilst also remembering the horrors of what started it.
'Is this how most of our industry feels now – Oct 7 was a 'little thing'? NO!'
Former MP and author Louise Mensch accused French of having a 'chuckle and chunter'.
She said: 'A 'bad thing'? Rapes, murders, torture, strangled a couple of infants, etc etc, so let's have a good chuckle and chunter, shall we Dawn?
'But the saddest thing about this post is not its casual cruelty, but that you think you're a progressive. You're not.'
Former MP and author Louise Mensch accused French of having a 'chuckle and chunter'
Meanwhile comedy screenwriter and activist Lee Kern said French had 'sneeringly mocked' the October 7 massacre.
He wrote: 'I imagine you think you are moral and righteous and taking a stand against pain and suffering.
'But not only do you remain intellectually incurious about who the architect of all this suffering is, (Hamas), not only do you fail to say NO to them in front of your audience and condemn them for their retention of the hostages, use of human shields, fighting from hospitals, schools and civilian compounds...you proactively broadcast - with misplaced pride - a wicked glee in your mockery and dismissal of Jewish suffering, pain and death...'
French later responded to Oberman's post to emphasise she did not 'support the atrocities of Oct 7th.'
She wrote: 'I do not say 'a little thing'. In NO WAY do I support the atrocities of Oct 7th. Of course not. Appalling. Horrific.
'But starving innocent children is not the answer. NO is the answer to ALL of it Tracy.'
Israel has been waging a military campaign in Gaza since Hamas' brutal massacre on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 people were murdered and 251 taken hostage.
At least 20 of the remaining 56 hostages still held by Hamas are thought to be alive.
According to official Hamas figures, at least 54,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war.
The Israeli military issued an evacuation order on Friday for residents of parts of Gaza City ahead of an attack that 'will strike all areas from which rockets are launched'.
Israel has recently stepped up its campaign in Gaza in what it says is a renewed push to defeat Hamas amid growing international calls for a negotiated ceasefire.