Comedian and actress Dawn French has issued an unreserved apology after sharing a video on social media that appeared to downplay the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023. The clip, which used satire to comment on the ongoing war in Gaza, received backlash for seeming to dismiss the murder of 1,200 people in Israel. French has since deleted the video and acknowledged that her attempt to highlight nuance in the conflict came across as “one-sided”.
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In a statement shared on Instagram, the Vicar of Dibley star said she had never intended to mock or belittle the atrocities committed on that day. “I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but I clearly have. For which I am sorry,” she wrote. French admitted that her use of a mocking tone in the short video—meant to criticise simplistic justifications for violence—was clumsy and misjudged.
The 67-year-old expressed deep sorrow over the events of 7 October, calling the attacks “brutal, unthinkable, unforgivable, savage.” She went on to say that her “heart broke” for those who were “killed, tortured, raped and kidnapped,” and called it “appalling” that hostages remained in captivity. French also spoke of her distress at the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, citing the haunting images of starving children.
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The video drew criticism from public figures including actress Tracy-Ann Oberman and Independent MP Rosie Duffield. Oberman said she was “so saddened” by the post, while Duffield called for careful and considered responses to the ongoing crisis, noting: “This is not that.” French’s apology has been received by some as a necessary correction, though reactions remain mixed in a deeply polarised debate.
