One of the biggest and most outspoken, politically-minded bands of the last 40+ years, U2 had been mostly silent on Gaza, Palestine and Israel. But after this weekend’s news that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans for Israel to take control of Gaza, all four members — Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr — released individual statements as part of one Instagram gallery. “Everyone has long been horrified by what is unfolding in Gaza – but the blocking of humanitarian aid and now plans for a military takeover of Gaza City has taken the conflict into uncharted territory,” the band collectively wrote in an intro. “We are not experts in the politics of the region, but we want our audience to know where we each stand.”
All four statements are very carefully worded, making sure to condemn Hamas and their October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel before condemning Netanyahu, the Israeli government and their systematic starvation of Palestinian people. Bono’s statement alone is 10 slides of the gallery, but only The Edge uses the words “ethnic cleansing,” “colonial genocide” and “holocaust.” You can read all four statements below.
Meanwhile, U2’s frequent collaborator Brian Eno has organized a benefit concert, Together for Palestine, happening September 17 at Wembley Stadium with Damon Albarn, King Krule, James Blake, Jamie xx, Hot Chip, Obongjayar, Sampha, Paloma Faith, and more.