'Zero respect' -- Bono under fire over Netanyahu comments
U2 frontman Bono is under fire following his calls for Israel to be 'released from Benjamin Netanyahu,' with many feeling the musician is 'late to the party'.
The 65-year-old made the comments last week at London's Grosvenor House.
It was the first time the human rights activist spoke out in public against Israel since October 2023. U2 frontman Bono is under fire following his calls for Israel to be 'released from Benjamin Netanyahu,' with many feeling the musician is a little late to the party. Pic: Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/REX/Shutterstock
The lead singer said: 'Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there's a few of them there right now.
'Hamas, release the hostages. Stop the war. Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and the far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred text.'
He added: 'All of you protect our aid workers, they are the best of us.' U2 singer Bono is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden. Pic:The speech came as the musician received an award from Ed Sheeran alongside his bandmates.
The band were awarded an academy fellowship at the 70th year of the annual awards.
While Bono's speech has circulated online, many have reacted negatively as they hit out at the musician for remaining silent for more than a year and a half. While the speech circulated online, many have reacted negatively as they hit out at the musician for remaining silent for more than a year and a half. Pic: Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock
One person wrote: 'After nearly 20 months of blatant genocide and thousands upon thousands of civilians pulped by Israeli bombing, including a high proportion of children and babies, Bono decides it's safe enough to criticise Netanyahu. F*** off.'
Another echoed: 'F*** off Bono.'
A third added: 'He 'forgot' the most important part; STOP THE GENOCIDE!! Zero respect for Bono, it was a p**s weak speech.'
He "forgot" the most important part; STOP THE GENOCIDE!!
Zero respect for Bono, it was a piss weak speech. https://t.co/ae9r5wBem4 — Domestic Godmess (@Melanieakroyd) May 25, 2025
Someone else took to the comments to point out: 'Great to hear from Bono again, he's such a champion of human rights, coincidentally, he has a documentary out at the moment!'
Bono: Stories of Surrender is set for release on Apple TV on Friday, May 30, and is a one-man show by the same name of his memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story.
The film is set to feature never-before-seen exclusive footage from the Stories of Surrender Beacon Theatre shows, as well as Bono performing a number of U2 hits.
An updated paperback edition of his bestselling memoir is set to be released concurrently.
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