U2 speak out on Israel’s actions in Gaza: “The level of depravity and lawlessness we are seeing now feels like uncharted territory”
U2 have spoken out on the Israel-Palestine crisis, with Bono saying Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions “now feel like uncharted territory”.
- READ MORE: ‘Bono: Stories of Surrender’ review: U2 frontman’s stunning stage show becomes unmissable film
Since Hamas’ attack on Israeli citizens at the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023 that killed over 1100 people and saw 250 taken as hostages, multiple UN human-rights experts and UN bodies have stated that Israel’s military actions in Gaza may amount to genocide, and the International Court of Justice has found claims of genocide plausible. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 61,158 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. Israel rejects the genocide accusations and denies committing any war crimes, maintaining that its operations are lawful acts of self-defence.
At the Ivor Novello Awards in May, Bono criticised both Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, describing some of the latter’s ministers as “far-right fundamentalists”.
Now, in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday (August 10), each of the four members of U2 have posted personal responses to the issue.
After reiterating his condemnation of Hamas’ “diabolical” and “evil” actions, Bono turned his focus to the Israeli government, which he said “today deserves our categorical and unequivocal condemnation”.
“There is no justification for the brutality [Netanyahu] and his far right government have inflicted on the Palestinian people…in Gaza…in the West Bank. And not just since October 7, well before it too…though the level of depravity and lawlessness we are seeing now feels like uncharted territory.”
On Saturday (August 9), the Israeli government approved a ground offensive that will aim to take complete control of Gaza City, a move that Bono said “most informed commentators understand as a euphemism for the colonization of Gaza.”
“We know the rest of the Gaza Strip…and the West Bank are next,” he added. “What century are we in? Is the world not done with this far, far right thinking? We know where it ends…world war…millenarianism.”
He continued: “As someone who has long believed in Israel’s right to exist and supported a two-state solution, I want to make clear to anyone who cares to listen our band’s condemnation of Netanyahu’s immoral actions and join all who have called for a cessation of hostilities on both sides.”
After the October 2023 attack, Bono paid tribute to the victims while performing with U2 in Las Vegas. Bono dedicated 1984’s ‘Pride (In the Name of Love)’ to the victims, while sharing his hopes for a non-violent solution to the conflict.
Earlier this year, Bono shared his thoughts on what is the best way to achieve freedom “in every part of the world where health and humanity are at risk” in op-ed for The Atlantic, which he wrote ahead of receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the US.
Also in U2’s statement are comments from guitarist The Edge, who concluded: “There can be no peace without justice. No reconciliation without recognition. And no future unless we refuse to let the past be repeated. The road to peace is difficult. But it is never too late, or too early, to begin walking it.”
Bassist Adam Clayton wrote that “preserving civilian life is a choice in this war”, while drummer Larry Mullen Jr. said: “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.”
See statements from the band members in their entirety above.
Countless other musicians have spoken out on the issue, with Damon Albarn recently describing what is happening in Gaza as a “genocide”, saying “we cannot deny the Palestinians their existence”.
Irish rap trio Kneecap have been consistently outspoken against Israel’s actions, and this week accused the Norwegian government of “enabling” the “genocide” through the country’s “oil pension fund” during a show in Oslo.
The post U2 speak out on Israel’s actions in Gaza: “The level of depravity and lawlessness we are seeing now feels like uncharted territory” appeared first on NME.
