Bono advocates for Israel to be liberated from Benjamin Netanyahu in an appeal to halt conflict.
Irish music icon Bono, known for his advocacy for human rights, publicly denounced the leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Ivor Awards. Speaking in London, Bono critiqued the reign of Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalist groups that, in his opinion, manipulate sacrosanct texts.
The U2 frontman, who received the Peace Summit Award in 2008, called upon Hamas to cease the ongoing conflict and release the remaining Israeli hostages. His comments represent the first time since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023 that Bono has made such a public statement on Netanyahu.
The call for peace comes as Western leaders continue to criticize Netanyahu and the Israeli authorities in regard to the intensified offensive in the Palestinian territory. The international community is particularly concerned about the growing risk of famine due to an 11-week aid blockade that has only recently started to ease.
In a previous statement issued at the event, Bono articulated his belief that peace fosters the emergence of solutions even in seemingly insurmountable conflicts. He urged Hamas to stop the violence, free the hostages, and bring an end to the war. He also appealed to Israel to rid itself of Netanyahu and extremist religious figures who, according to Bono, have distorted religious tenets.
In addition to his comments on Netanyahu, Bono advocated protecting aid workers and made a special appeal for them to be safeguarded.
The ceremony saw U2 members each receive an award from pop artist Ed Sheeran, and the Irish rock band performed some of their iconic songs, including Sunday Bloody Sunday, a song that alludes to the 1972 Bloody Sunday shootings in Londonderry. The group ended the evening with a performance of the 1988 hit Angel of Harlem.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Netanyahu lashed out at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling him "on the wrong side of humanity" after Starmer urged an end to the Gaza conflict. In a video message, Netanyahu also attacked the leaders of France and Canada for their criticism of Israel's actions during the conflict. Netanyahu specifically linked this criticism with the fatal shootings of Israeli embassy workers in Washington DC on Wednesday evening.
- Bono, in his advocacy for peace, not only called upon Hamas to cease the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory, but also urged them to release the remaining Israeli hostages.
- The U2 frontman, in his pursuit of pacifism amidst war-and-conflicts, made a public statement against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, critiquing his leadership and its association with extremist religious figures.
- As the international community remains concerned about the intensified offensive and the growing risk of famine in the Palestinian territory, Bono, in his role as an entertainment icon, has also appealed for the protection of aid workers.
