Dawn French ‘dismisses' Oct 7 Hamas attacks
Dawn French has been accused of dismissing the Oct 7 Hamas attacks in Israel in a new social media video.
The British comedian and actress, 67, posted a video of herself to X in which she appears to mimic Israel's supporters amid the military campaign in Gaza.
In the video, published by French on the social media platform on Thursday, she says about the conflict in the Middle East: 'Complicated, no, but nuanced. But [the] bottom line is no.'
She then goes on to mimic apparent defences of Israel's military campaign in neighbouring Gaza since the Hamas-led massacre in 2023, saying: ''Yeah but you know they did a bad thing to us'... Yeah, but no.
''But we want that land and there's a lot of history…'. No. 'These people are not even people, are they really?' No.'
In response to the viral tweet, which has been viewed more than half a million times in the 24 hours since it was published, Tracy-Ann Oberman, the West End star and playwright, branded French's tone as 'mocking'.
The Jewish actress, 58, reposted French's video and said: 'I am so saddened by this 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.'
She added: '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!'
Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas's massacre on Oct 7 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed by the terror group and 251 others were taken hostage.
There are now 56 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Israel said its expanded offensive in the Strip, named Operation Gideon's Chariot, will increase the chances of returning the missing.
The Hamas-run health ministry that operates in Gaza has said that at least 54,000 people have been killed in the territory during the war.
Hamas has rejected proposed ceasefire and hostage release deals that do not guarantee a full Israel withdrawal from the Strip and an end to the war.
Other responses to French's post include the financier Ben Goldsmith, who has been a strong defender of Israel's response to the Hamas terrorist attacks.
He remarked: 'Wow, this is really bad. Who knew.'
Elsewhere, comedy writer and self-described 'champion of Jewish rights' Lee Kern 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.'
In a subsequent post following the criticism by Oberman, French clarified that she did not mean to 'support the atrocities of Oct 7th'. Writing on X, she said: '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.'
French has been approached for comment.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
25 minutes ago
- Politico
Trump Bruins a good time at UCLA
BILLION-DOLLAR BATTLE: The Trump administration's battle to dominate higher education has come to California — and this time, it involves one of the country's largest university systems and the taxpayers who help fund it. The University of California, Los Angeles is in court today over more than half a billion dollars the federal government has frozen over antisemitism allegations stemming from last year's Israel-Gaza campus demonstrations. During virtual arguments this afternoon, Judge Rita F. Lin sounded skeptical of some of the administration's arguments, questioning how the Trump administration's explanation that the cuts were an 'indefinite suspension' rather than a 'termination' would comply with a prior ruling. The hearing came days after Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted Donald Trump's demand for $1 billion from UCLA in return for millions of dollars in frozen federal research grants, describing the president's move as an attempt to 'silence academic freedom.' Newsom also floated the idea of another lawsuit. 'He has threatened us through extortion with a billion-dollar fine unless we do his bidding,' the governor told reporters on Friday. Asked about a potential lawsuit, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt today said the governor could 'bring it on,' repeating a refrain Newsom frequently uses against Trump. Here's what we're watching after a week of rapid-fire developments. UCLA is the first public institution the Trump administration has targeted. The president has successfully gone after a handful of prestigious private schools, settling with Brown and Columbia in exchange for keeping their funding. Harvard is also reportedly close to a settlement, and George Washington University appears to be next on Trump's hit list. UCLA's status as a taxpayer-funded school means any major financial moves could have a trickle-down effect on the University of California system and the state, as a whole. It also gives state leaders more say over its actions, although they haven't always agreed with university leaders' decisions — lest we forget the demise of the Pac-12 over Newsom's objections. It's about the money, but it's not just about the money. Trump is using federal funding as leverage to force policy changes at UCLA, as he's done at the other schools that have settled. His administration wants the university to stop giving scholarships based on race or ethnicity, end DEI incentives for hiring, stop using proxies for race in its admissions process and share information on test scores, grade point averages and applicant race. Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel told Playbook it's 'hard to take this seriously,' and it seems more related to 'political gamesmanship.' 'They're asking for a billion-dollar settlement in exchange for not removing roughly $500 million in funding,' he said. 'It just doesn't make any sense. So there's a couple pieces of this that just don't add up.' Trump says the settlement is about antisemitism. California Jewish leaders disagree. The president's administration is using the protest movement and related claims of discrimination to exercise authority over UCLA. But the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California today released a statement saying it 'strongly opposes' Trump's push for a settlement, saying the move would 'drive a wedge between the Jewish community and other vulnerable groups that are harmed.' 'As a public institution, such a settlement would ironically divert public funds from other initiatives, including those that combat antisemitism and hate,' the group said. UCLA already paid $6.5 million to settle a separate case brought by Jewish students and a professor related to pro-Palestinian encampments protesters constructed on campus last year. Gabriel and his Legislative Jewish Caucus co-chair Scott Wiener, a Democratic state senator from San Francisco, both said rising antisemitism is real, but they've been encouraged to see changes enacted by UCLA's new chancellor, Julio Frenk. They said Trump's settlement demand isn't really about protecting Jewish students. 'He does not care about Jews or antisemitism,' Wiener told Playbook. 'He is using Jews as human shields to accomplish his actual political goals, which are to consolidate control over universities and to destroy scientific research.' University of California leaders are still figuring out their next move. The UC Board of Regents held an emergency meeting about the settlement yesterday and 'discussed a path forward' without taking any action. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis' team said she was present for the meeting. Newsom's office confirmed he was not in attendance. IT'S TUESDAY AFTERNOON. This is California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check on California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to lholden@ WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY GOING DIRECT: OpenAI has appealed directly to Newsom in a letter obtained exclusively by California Decoded, suggesting California should consider AI companies that sign onto national and international AI agreements as compliant with state AI rules. The letter, dated Monday from OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane, comes as Sacramento continues to debate key AI legislation, including Wiener's SB 53, which would require AI companies divulge their safety testing protocols and would establish whistleblower protections for their workers. Lehane recommended 'that California take the lead in harmonizing state-based AI regulation with emerging global standards' when it comes to the technology, dubbing it the 'California Approach.' OpenAI and other developers have already signed onto, or plan to sign onto, the EU's AI code of practice and committed to conducting national security-related assessments of their programs, both voluntary commitments, Newsom spokesperson Tara Gallegos said: 'We have received the letter. We don't typically comment on pending legislation.' The letter offers Newsom something of an off-ramp this year, after he vetoed Wiener's broader SB 1047 AI safety bill last year that would have required programs to complete pre-release safety testing. — Chase DiFeliciantonio If you like this excerpt from POLITICO Pro Technology: California Decoded, you can request a demo here. IN OTHER NEWS MUSICAL CHAIRS: Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones today threw cold water on rumors he might take advantage of Democratic redistricting efforts to mount a congressional campaign — although he doesn't seem to fully rule it out, either. 'Despite unfounded rumors and political gossip, I am not considering a run for Congress because of redistricting,' Jones said in a statement to Playbook. 'I strongly oppose Gavin Newsom's redistricting scheme,' he added. 'Senate Republicans will fight this unfair political power grab that silences Californians and undermines our Constitution.' The San Diego-area Republican, whose final term ends next year, lives in an area with two deep-blue congressional districts that could become more purple as Democrats try to pick up five new seats. As we've reported, San Diego Reps. Scott Peters and Sara Jacobs are preparing to add Republicans as Democrats draw a new map in response to Texas GOP redistricting. TOUTING TELEWORK: A long-awaited state audit of Newsom's return-to-office mandate for state employees was critical of the governor's push to require in-person work. Newsom ordered state workers back to the office for two days per week in 2024 and four days earlier this year, although he postponed the more stringent directive before it took effect. The audit says reducing state office space in response to telework could save the state $225 million. It also said the governor's office 'did not gather some important information about departments' office space needs or the associated costs before directing state employees to work an increasing number of days per week in the office.' GOP Assemblymember Josh Hoover, who's been an advocate of telework, released a statement promoting the report. 'The findings of the audit make clear that providing telework options for state employees in the jobs where it makes sense has substantial benefits for workers, taxpayers, state agencies, commuters, and the environment,' he said. WHAT WE'RE READING TODAY — Black leaders say Trump's criticisms of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and other cities smack of racism. (POLITICO) — Democratic members of Congress are accusing the Trump administration of cleaning up a basement ICE detention center in downtown Los Angeles ahead of their visit. (Los Angeles Times) AROUND THE STATE — The California High Speed Rail Authority wants lawmakers to help the agency resolve land-use conflicts that are slowing the expensive project. (Fresno Bee) — Advocates are urging officials to preserve video evidence of San Diego County jail deaths after surveillance footage from one incident was erased. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
Europe's heat waves intensify
An opinion essay in Le Figaro, a conservative newspaper, defended air conditioning because 'making our fellow citizens sweat limits learning, reduces working hours, and clogs up hospitals.' Libération, a left-wing daily, countered such arguments, writing that the technology was 'an environmental aberration that must be overcome' because it blows hot air onto streets and guzzles up precious energy. Advertisement 'Is air conditioning a far-right thing?' One talk show asked provocatively, reflecting how divisive the issue had become. While France's heated discussion of air conditioning cooled along with the temperatures in the weeks that followed, increasingly hot summers in Europe mean that the issue is not going anywhere. Decades ago, bickering over air conditioning might have seemed strange in Europe, where there was historically little need for it and where keeping homes warm is still a top concern. But times are changing fast. An analysis of daily temperature data from Copernicus, part of the European Union's space program, shows that much of Europe is now experiencing longer periods of severe heat than it was just 40 years ago. So while many derided air conditioning for years as an unnecessary — and American — amenity, it is now increasingly seen as a necessity to survive scorching summers. Advertisement Despite rising temperatures, only about half of homes in Italy today have air conditioning, according to Italy's national statistics institute. In Spain, real estate data indicates the share is roughly 40 percent. And in France, only an estimated 20 to 25 percent of households are equipped with air conditioning, according to the country's Agency for Ecological Transition. In 2023, 62.5 percent of energy consumed by households in the European Union was used to heat homes, versus less than one percent to cool them, according to EU statistics. Energy costs are also usually higher in Europe than in the United States, where almost 90 percent of homes use some form of air conditioning. The dense architecture of European cities is ill-suited to ungainly air conditioning units, and in places such as Paris, securing the necessary approvals for old or historical apartment buildings can be complex. 'Air conditioning still scares some — many still have in mind countries like the United States, where homes and shops are extremely conditioned,' said Baudouin de la Varende, the co-founder of Ithaque, a French consulting firm that helps households with energy-efficient renovations. But even he said that weatherproofing would help only so much in the coming decades. 'I'm a little saddened that the debate is often boiled down to for or against air conditioning,' he added. 'Most people are in the middle: Air conditioning is a useful tool.' Some of the debate is political posturing. Look beyond the sniping on social media, and there is broad agreement in France that air conditioning is necessary in spaces such as retirement homes, hospitals, and schools. More than 1,800 schools had to close during the worst of last month's heat wave. Few people are clamoring for a cooling unit in every home. Advertisement 'Air conditioning is not black or white,' Agnès Pannier-Runacher, France's environment minister, recently told reporters. 'We need air conditioning to give vulnerable people some respite. But we mustn't do it everywhere.' Much of southern Europe now experiences more than two months each year when daily high temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Madrid, Spain's capital, has had an average of 63 days above 85 degrees in recent years, up from 29 days per year in the early 1980s. In many places, the heat is not just longer-lasting but also more intense. 40 years ago, temperatures in Madrid rarely climbed above 90 degrees, but in the past five years, a typical summer has included 40 days above 90 degrees. Whether cultural resistance to air conditioning in France will persist in such conditions remains to be seen. Perhaps no one displays that ambivalence better than Christian Meyer, the head of a company near Strasbourg that installs air conditioning units. Despite having a vested interest in promoting air conditioning, he was recently quoted in a local newspaper saying that he wasn't a fan and that he didn't use it himself. For now, as the arguments continue, the government's official heat-related advice takes a middle road, of sorts. Air conditioning is on its list of the options to keep a home cool. But the guidelines warn that it is 'a solution that should be considered only after all other options have been exhausted.' Advertisement This article originally appeared in
Cosmopolitan
2 hours ago
- Cosmopolitan
Travis Kelce Shared His Favorite Colognes 2025
Travis Kelce looks like someone who'd smell good, right? There's a suave, cool factor about him that exudes a vibe that he rocks a sexy cologne, ya know. Maybe it's that he's really into his style and always looks pretty good (mustache included). Or it's his loud personality, on and off the field. Honestly, I can't imagine anyone spending that much time with Taylor Swift could smell anything less than fantastic. But I don't actually have to guess anymore, since Travis broke down his go-to perfumes and a love story (pun intended) for cologne in a video with GQ. "Gotta have the cologne," Travis says, outlining his essentials. He loves spritzing and trying new scents in "smell good stores," as he calls 'em. "It's all trial and error; it's whatever you feel like," he adds. "Who doesn't love smelling good?" Travis continues. And I couldn't agree more. But even if you can't afford Trav's $$$$ picks (four dollar signs is intentional here—his favorite cologne, Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman, clocks in at $245 for a 1.7 oz bottle), you can glean quite a bit of fragrance wisdom from the three-time Super Bowl winner. He's full of surprises! "You gotta have more than just one, ladies and gentleman," says Travis. He's got three favorite colognes and believes you've gotta have variety. And I couldn't agree more, as a fragrance-obsessed beauty editor. Having a collection of different scents that work with your distinct moods, occasions, and seasons helps you feel more put-together, just by spritzing on a perfume. "Obviously, there are certain smells that just match the fit perfectly, whether it's a dinner night or you're going out with your friends or just going to work," he explains. Key notes: Pear, bergamot, ginger, orange blossom, musk, cedar Key notes: Lychee, bergamot, ginger, peony, rose, cacao, patchouli Key notes: Bergamot, galbanum, ginger, solar notes, sandalwood, cedarwood And Travis is a fan of perfume layering too. "Sometimes you can mix and match if they smell good together," he says. It makes sense: His three faves all share a few notes in common (Travis loves ginger, bergamot, and woods, evidently), so they flow easily with each other if you layer one with the other. Fragrance is for everyone, and the idea of "perfumes for women" and "colognes for men" is seriously outdated. Even Travis agrees! One of his go-to Louis Vuitton scents, Attrape-Rêves (which he wholesomely couldn't pronounce because he "failed French freshman year"), is actually marketed as a "woman's scent." But I totally see why Travis loves it. It's a floral perfume that's grounded by earthy patchouli and warm cacao, but opens with bright lychee, bergamot, and ginger. I get it: He likes unique takes on woody, warm scents (especially if they've got ginger in there). With that in mind, I bet he'd love Taylor Swift Wonderstruck... IDK if Travis just loves his Louis Vuitton heritage print or if he's actually a serious fraghead. But there's more than just a cute reason behind his Louis cases. Actually, these are fantastic for protecting your perfumes. Listen, the juice in your bottles is fragile, and too much heat or sun exposure can change the scent. Not something you want when you're spending a whole lotta money. If you keep your perfumes on a tray on your vanity, consider a case. Louis Vuitton's are stunning for their specific scents if you also have the budget of a champion. Personally, I like to keep my precious scents in a leather vanity case, and I've moved many of my others away from the window. Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
