Tony Blair’s sister-in-law hailed Oct. 7 massacre, praised violence against Jews

Lauren Booth labeled Hamas’ invasion a “legendary” day for Muslims.

By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

The sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair publicly approved the mass murder of Jews in an interview with Turkish media that was revealed Thursday by the Daily Mail.

Lauren Booth, the half-sister of Cherie Blair, told the pro-Erdogan newspaper Yeni Safak last year, “I got a little bit annoyed with the Palestinians when I met them at first because I thought they had Stockholm syndrome,” when discussing a visit she had once made to Gaza.

Stockholm syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which hostages develop positive feelings, empathy or even loyalty toward their captors.

“Because,” she continued, “not only were they not determined to hate all Jews or just take Jewish life; they said Allah will sort this out for us… we must be steadfast. And I was so angry that I said you really need to be resisting this in a different way.”

Booth expressed enthusiasm for the massacre of nearly 1,200 men, women and children that Hamas-led terrorists carried out during their surprise invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, calling it a “legendary day” for the Muslim nation.

“After October 7 … a legendary day in the Ummah‘s history, yes, we can say that people are now picking up the Quran because of the steadfastness and sabr [patience] of the people of Gaza,” she said.

Booth converted to Islam in 2010 after visiting Iran and currently lives in Turkey.

She has worked over the years for Iranian state media outlets such as Press TV, which was banned in the UK. Its websites were seized in the US due to the anti-West disinformation and antisemitism it promotes.

In August 2008, she received a Palestinian VIP passport from then-Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

UK-based NGO Campaign Against Antisemitism sharply criticized Booth for praising the worst pogrom against Jews since the Holocaust.

“Claiming to speak as a voice of human justice while describing Oct. 7 as ‘legendary’ was sick and perverse,” a spokesperson said, adding that Booth’s words risked radicalizing people.

When the Daily Mail asked about her statements, Booth sought to walk them back.

“I continue to advocate for the right of Palestinians to live free from occupation,” she said. “The UN recognizes the right to resist against foreign forcible actions that deprive people of their right to self-determination. Within that understanding, I do not advocate for violence against any religious or racial group.”

The British newspaper credited the discovery of the video clip to Israeli journalist Elchanan Groner of Hakol Hayehudi (The Jewish Voice) as part of his work on a Channel 14 documentary.