Dawn French apologises for Gaza post
'My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of October 7'
Dawn French has 'unreservedly' apologised after she was accused of making light of Hamas's October 7 terror attacks on Israel.
The Vicar of Dibley star was widely crticised for a social media post in which she parodied the nation's reasons for pummelling Gaza, saying: 'Yeah but you know they did a bad thing to us'.
The 67-year-old was accused of trivialising the atrocity in which 1,195 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage - and has now deleted the 40-second clip from X.
She said: 'My intention was to mock and point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leaders on all sides of this atrocious war, who have continued to behave like the worst, dangerous sickening bullies and seem to relish the tyrannical and childish one-upmanship of violence.
'They were my target, but clearly I failed to do that, and that's on me. I apologise unreservedly. I am particularly sorry that my disgust did not figure. It appeared one-sided and that is wrong.
'My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on October 7, 2023, and what continues to unfold from that brutal unthinkable, unforgivable, savage attack.
'My heart broke for the many innocent people and their families that were killed, tortured, r@ped and kidnapped. 'The fact that hostages are still being held is utterly appalling.'
— Dawn French ????????????️???????????????????? (@Dawn_French) June 7, 2025
Those who criticised French included fellow actor Tracy-Ann Oberman, who said she was 'saddened' by the post.
She said: 'This 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!'
Published: 7 Jun 2025
