BONO BLASTS ISRAELI GOVT

U2 HAVE condemned the Israeli government for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and have urged action to protect civilians.

- BY NICOLA DONNELLY and PAT FLANAGAN

Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr and Adam Clayton each contributed statements, which were then posted to the U2 Instagram account yesterday.

In the introductory message it states "blocking of humanitarian aid and now plans for a military takeover of Gaza City has taken the conflict into uncharted territory".

"We are not experts in the politics of the region, but we want our audience to know where we each stand."

In Bono's statement, he admitted he had circled around the issue of speaking out on Israel's actions in Gaza. Condemning the October 7, 2023, terror attack by Hamas on the Nova music festival in Gaza, he reiterated he believes in Israel's "right to exist" and a two-state solution.

Bono wrote he had felt he should focus on poverty and the humanitarian crisis occurring within Africa, and said that he felt countries like Sudan were overlooked in their suffering.

As Israel intensified its attack on Gaza, Bono said he reminded himself of Hamas' crimes that had preceded this.