Bono urges Israel to move on from Netanyahu and far-right leaders

Bono criticizes Netanyahu during Ivors Music Awards speech
Irish singer and U2 frontman Bono publicly called for Israel to move beyond Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right elements during his remarks at the 2024 Ivors music awards ceremony. Bono’s speech marked his first comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict since the war escalated in October 2023.

Addressing the audience before a performance of the band's 1983 song "Sunday Bloody Sunday," Bono described the pursuit of peace as a radical but necessary act. “Believing in the possibility of peace was then and is now a rebellious act,” Bono said, referring to the song’s themes. He continued, “Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there’s a few of them out there right now.”

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Bono’s remarks were made as U2 became the first Irish songwriters to receive an academy fellowship at the Ivors, an honor presented by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The annual ceremony, held this year on May 22, recognized Bono and fellow U2 members for their contributions to music and social causes.

Call for peace and hostage release amid Gaza conflict
During his speech, Bono called for multiple sides in the ongoing conflict to take action. “Hamas, release the hostages. Stop the war,” he stated. Turning to Israeli leadership, Bono added, “Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts.”

Bono also emphasized the importance of protecting humanitarian workers, describing them as essential contributors in crisis zones. “All of you protect our aid workers, they are the best of us,” he said.

The speech came as global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, expressed concern over Israel’s renewed military action in Gaza. Earlier this week, the trio released a joint statement reaffirming support for a two-state solution and recognition of a Palestinian state as part of long-term peace efforts.

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U2 performance highlights legacy of protest music
Bono introduced U2’s performance of “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by linking the historic context of the song to the present conflict. The track originally referenced the 1972 shootings in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, when British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civil rights protesters, resulting in 14 deaths.

By performing the politically charged song, U2 underscored its long-standing engagement with global peace movements. Bono, who received the Peace Summit Award at the 2008 Nobel Peace Laureates Summit, used the platform to reiterate his ongoing advocacy for diplomatic solutions to international conflicts.

Netanyahu recently criticized leaders including Starmer, Macron, and Carney, accusing them of emboldening Hamas by supporting the recognition of Palestinian statehood. Bono’s comments add to a growing chorus of international voices urging de-escalation and structural change in both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.