U2 decries humanitarian crisis in Gaza, says Netanyahu has crossed lines

11.8.2025
Irish rockers U2 have spoken out on the Israel-Palestine crisis, with Bono saying that Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions “now feel like uncharted territory”.
In an Instagram post published Monday, the four members of U2 – Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. – wrote personal responses to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
After his condemnation of Hamas’ “diabolical” 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.”
He continued: “And now Netanyahu announces a military takeover of Gaza City… which most informed commentators understand as a euphemism for the colonization of Gaza.”
He is referring here to the announcement made by the Israeli government on Saturday 9 August, in which a ground offensive that will aim to take complete control of Gaza City was approved.
“We know the rest of the Gaza Strip… and the West Bank are next,” Bono 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.”
U2 bassist Adam Clayton wrote that “preserving civilian life is a choice in this war”, while drummer Larry Mullen Jr. said: “It’s difficult to comprehend how any civilised society can think starving children is going to further any cause and be justified as an acceptable response to another horror.” He added that “starving innocent civilians as a weapon of war is inhumane and criminal.”