Dawn French

[Violetparis]

Anyone else appalled and shocked at Dawn French's social media video mocking the reaction to the terror attack in Israel on Oct 6th. What on earth was she thinking ? She comes across as horrible and lacking in any empathy. I feel sorry for the innocent people on both sides of this war, in Palestine and in Israel.

She is not "mimicking the argument". She is assigning words and sentiments to the Jewish people whose friends, relatives, loved ones, children, babies, and compatriots were raped, slaughtered, paraded naked on trucks, and taken hostage, on October 7, and then starved, raped some more, and let die from neglect.

She is mocking the people of Israel as if they are whining and saying these things. It's disgusting.

I'd like to commend @WhatterySquash 's post at 10.34, in which she says:

it’s one area where I absolutely do think it’s ok to be on the fence and be sorry for the suffering on both sides, but to also admit it’s complex and you might not have the expertise or background knowledge to fully take a side. You can deplore illegal and cruel violence whoever does it, even though some people won’t be happy with that.

l’m also not comfortable with how taking sides in this conflict. seems to be aligning (often bizarrely and inconsistently) with other values like being left or right wing, your views on genderism, racism, the environment or the general omnicause. If you’re falling into line to jump to 100% defend one side or the other just because it’s whatever your gang are saying, that suggests not thinking it through. That’s why we’re seeing things like “queers for Palestine” etc. but I think it can also happen the other way round.

This, absolutely. As I mentioned upthread, my family were in Belfast during the Troubles, though we were not from NI or the Republic. My father was an academic at Queens. As an outsider I was able to see both perspectives: my parents talked a lot about the history of Ireland, the religious differences, the involvement of the British. I'm usually very wary of people who pick a side and stick to it unless they have an in-depth understanding of an extremely complex and usually historical situation. And I'm particularly wary of people who insist you have to pick a side and assume you're on the other side if you don't pick theirs.

You have explained much better than I have. I think DF agrees with everyone here who is outraged at the atrocities.
She is not taking the piss out of victims. She is arguing that nothing justifies their terrible situation.

She is supposedly a talented writer and author. She should be able to make a valid point regarding the treatment of children in Gaza in a far more intelligent way without belittling the very real trauma experienced by thousands of a horrific attack on Israel.
It just looks like she's whacked a quick video on her social media without any thought at all. If it wasn't a complicated situation it would have been solved in the past 80 years and never got to this point in the first place.

I only believe the torrent of SM videos coming out of Gaza daily.

Surely everyone else does too?

I think the problem is that the voice she uses to say it's complicated and nuanced suggests, perhaps incorrectly, that she doesn't think it's complicated and nuanced at all.

The gaslighting is really something else.
You see it on this thread too: “Oh, she’s not mocking the victims, she’s just mocking the people who’re trying to justify Israel’s actions!”
Sure, that’s why she’s talking in that ridiculous whiny voice, saying “They did a bad thing to us” She says “us”, not “them”, so she’s talking from the perspective of the Israelis, mocking their pain. Absolutely vile.
I wonder how the posters defending her would have reacted if she’d mocked the Palestinians in the same manner: “Oh, they’re starving us”.
Something tells me that in that case their reaction would have been quite different.

I agree with you. I don’t like DF at all. But I think she’s of a generation with a different mindset that isn’t so ready to take offence, and didn’t anticipate being misunderstood and won’t take it down to pander to those determined to be offended.

She's clearly mocking the idea of it being actually complicated and nuanced.

But mostly she is mocking the Jewish people in every whiny, baby-voiced sentiment, mocking the suffering of the victims of October 7, and mocking and gurning like an unreasonable whining child as she puts forward what she childishly imagines are the Israeli people's views. It's disgusting.

Absolutely disgusting the way she expressed herself. If she did mean it differently she didnt think it through properly. You can have compassion for Gaza and what was done on October 7th. The stupid voice and faces she pulled. Despicable

This. Dripping sarcasm it's absolutely despicable that she'd try and be such a clever cow about such a horrific situation.
Wonder if she's sat at home smirking at all the attention she's getting. They'll be booking her for HIGNFY next.

Poor judgement to use a comedic voice.

Does anyone know if she's received any on line support from luvvy mates?

I can’t bear her

I met Dawn once in a professional capacity, I was very much a fan.

She could have been having an off day but she didn't come across well, I was very disappointed.

She always seemed like the thick mate to Saunder's clever wit but I must admit I thought it was put on, clearly not.

Yes, little, this;

"What is happening in Gaza is horrific but any commentary on this needs wisdom, compassion and care. She’s demonstrated none of the above."

I don’t find it ‘very upsetting’ or need to watch it numerous times.

As I said above, I find it frustratingly bad judgement. It’s created a sideshow for people to take sides around.

When the focus should be on urgently ending the enforced suffering of millions of people in Gaza, including the people held hostage.

@latetothefisting, sadly it no longer surprises me that so many people are clueless about basic grammar.

Absolutely this. Can’t believe the people on this thread trying to defend her and pretending she’s not actually mocking the victims of October 7th.

To be fair she grew up in Plymouth...she clearly sees the SW as her home.

I think her tone minimises all suffering.

What about the Israelis describing Palestinians as ‘rats’? Did you find that hurtful? Care to date any of the numerous of massacres of Palestinians by the Israelis?

You did not just say that!

@Violetparis rhank you for posting this - it is beyond disturbing and the fact other ‘celebrities’ such as holly will-oh whatever her name is have liked it, is even worse.
So offensive.
She has every right to express her views, but mocking murder and kidnap is beyond vile.
Sympathy for all is needed…