U2 have broken their silence on the Israel-Gaza conflict with a comprehensive statement that sees each band member individually addressing the ongoing war.
The Irish rock legends shared their perspectives on their official website, with frontman Bono delivering the most extensive commentary on the situation (as per Rolling Stone).
Bono acknowledged that he had “generally tried to stay out of the politics of the Middle East” since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, describing his previous approach as stemming from “uncertainty in the face of obvious complexity.” However, the singer revealed that images of starving children in Gaza compelled him to speak more directly about the conflict.
“The images of starving children on the Gaza Strip brought me back to a working trip to a food station in Ethiopia my wife Ali and I made 40 years ago next month following U2’s participation in Live Aid 1985,” Bono wrote. “Another man-made famine. To witness chronic malnutrition up close would make it personal for any family, especially as it affects children.”
The vocalist drew a clear distinction between Palestinians and Hamas whilst delivering sharp criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The Government of Israel is not the nation of Israel, but the Government of Israel led by Benjamin Netanyahu today deserves our categorical and unequivocal condemnation,” Bono stated. “There is no justification for the brutality he and his far right government have inflicted on the Palestinian people… in Gaza… in the West Bank.”
Bono emphasised U2’s support for a two-state solution whilst condemning what he described as Netanyahu’s “immoral actions.” The band have committed to donating to Medical Aid for Palestinians as part of their relief efforts.
The Edge contributed his own perspective through several questions directed at the Israeli government and Netanyahu, asking: “Do you truly believe that such devastation — inflicted so intentionally and relentlessly on a civilian population — can happen without heaping generational shame upon those responsible?” Drawing from Ireland’s own history, The Edge noted that “peace is not made through dominance” and emphasised that “peace is made when people sit down with their opponents — when they recognise the equal dignity of all, even those they once feared or despised.”
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Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. delivered a concise but powerful statement, declaring: “The power to change this obscenity is in the hands of Israel. I undoubtedly support Israel’s right to exist and I also believe Palestinians deserve the same right and a state of their own. Silence serves none of us.”
