Bono Calls for “Israel’s Freedom from Netanyahu”
According to cinemadrame news agency, Paul Hewson, the Irish pop star known as Bono, called for “Israel’s freedom from Benjamin Netanyahu” at the Ivor Awards music ceremony. This was the first time the U2 frontman reacted to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, which entered another phase in October two years ago.
Bono explained why believing in world peace is always considered a “rebellious act”: “Some say it’s a ridiculous notion to believe that peace between your country and our country, between our country and itself, is achievable… Peace creates opportunity in the most belligerent situations.”
The musician, who won the Nobel “Peace Summit Award” in 2008, continued: “Hamas, release the hostages. End the war. Israel, be free from Benjamin Netanyahu and the hardline fundamentalists who are changing your sacred texts. Protect aid workers; they are the best among us.”
In 1983, Bono and other members of U2 sang “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” about the 1972 massacre in Northern Ireland, where the British army killed thirty protesting citizens.
Earlier this week, Netanyahu accused UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron of supporting and “encouraging Hamas” to continue the war. Britain, Canada, and France issued a joint statement this Monday, declaring their support for the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution.
The documentary film “Bono: Stories Of Surrender” was met with a seven-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival last week. The 86-minute film, shown out of competition, is scheduled to stream on Apple TV+ on May 30.
