Dawn French apologises after 'mocking tone' in Gaza video sparks fury
Dawn French has apologised after posting a video online about the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Vicar of Dibley actress said she "clumsily used a mocking tone" in the video shared on social media this week that "appeared one-sided".
The comedian shared a video about the conflict online where she used a baby-like voice to discuss the ongoing devastation in the Middle East and the justifications used by people supporting Israel's campaign in Gaza.
The video has sparked backlash online after getting 4.7million views, with the actress being accused of mocking victims. In the video, she said: "Complicated, no, but nuanced," adding: "Bottom line is, no."
Continuing in a higher pitched voice, the 67-year-old said: "Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us."
On Saturday (June 7), Dawn, who wrote and starred in the BBC sketch comedy series French and Saunders with her best friend and comedy partner Jennifer Saunders, posted a statement on X saying she has taken down the video.
She expressed her apologies, saying her intention was never "to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened" on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed some 1,200 people at a music festival in Israel.
"Ok, it's important to address this," French wrote. "I posted a video in the style I've been using for social media in an effort to convey an important point. I clumsily used a mocking tone.
"My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on 7 October 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, raped and kidnapped. The fact that hostages are still held is utterly appalling.
"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 the violence.
"THEY were my target, but clearly I failed to do that, and that's on me. I apologise unreservedly.
"I'm particularly sorry that my disgust at Hamas didn't figure. It appeared one-sided, and that is wrong."
She went on: "I am a person, who like many others, is feeling increasingly helpless and hopeless as we witness the carnage and destruction worsen. The images of starving and wounded children have haunted me day and night.
"History has taught us never to stand by and allow this kind of inhumane violence to be wrought on anyone, especially innocent children.
"I have felt my silence is complicit or even somehow sanctioning. So in my small way I wanted to voice my desire to say NO – to BOTH sides – to any further violence.
"I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but clearly I have. For which I'm sorry and I have removed the video."
At least 54,607 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza and more than 125,000 have been injured between October 7, 2023 and June 4, 2025, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza.
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