UK
Tony Blair’s sister-in-law describes October 7 as being ‘legendary’ for Muslims
Lauren Booth expressed her ‘annoyance’ with Palestinians for their lack of determination to ‘hate all Jews’
January 9, 2026 16:23
Lauren Booth expressed her ‘annoyance’ with Palestinians for their lack of determination to ‘hate all Jews’
January 9, 2026 16:23Footage has emerged of former prime minister Sir Tony Blair’s sister-in-law describing the October 7 terror atrocities as being “legendary” for Muslims.
Lauren Booth – Cherie Blair’s sister – said in an interview with Turkish media that “only Allah knows” how many millions of people would pick up the Koran following 2023 Hamas-led atrocities and claimed the world had reached a “tipping point”.
Booth, who was born in Britain, converted to Islam after a trip to Iran in 2010 and now resides in Istanbul. A journalist, she has worked for Iranian state broadcaster Press TV and in 2008 was issued with a “VIP” Palestinian Authority passport by Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader killed by Israel last year.
In the interview, which took place last year but which has just come to light and was first reported in the UK by the Daily Mail, Booth, 58, told Turkish Islamist newspaper Yeni Safak that “after October 7, this October 7, a legendary day in the Ummah's [Muslim community’s] history, yes, we can say that people are now picking up the Koran because of the steadfastness and sabr [patience] of the people of Gaza.”
She also spoke of her “annoyance” with Palestinians over what she viewed as their lack of determination to “hate all Jews or just take Jewish life”.
Booth said: 'I got a little bit annoyed with the Palestinians when I met them at first because I thought they had Stockholm Syndrome,' she said, recounting an earlier visit to Gaza.
“Because 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’s comments came to light as part of an investigation led by Israeli journalist Elchanan Groner of the news site Hakol Hayehudi for a documentary programme.
Asked about the remarks, Booth told the Daily Mail: “I continue to advocate for the right of Palestinians to live free from occupation. The UN recognises 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.”
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