Latest news with #BobGeldof
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Paul Kearns: It's not as simple as Bob Geldof thinks for Israelis to 'snap out of it'
'What has happened to the Israeli people?'. Bob Geldof last week made an impassioned plea to Miriam O'Callaghan on RTÉ's Primetime for 'Israelis to snap out of it' and 'to rise up against their government'. In the context of the daily horrific images from Gaza and more than 20 months of onslaught on the Palestinian civilian population, Geldof asks an important and, I would argue, very profound question: 'What has happened to the Israeli people?'. But here is a startling fact. In no other country in the world over the past two and a half years have there been larger and more consistent political demonstrations against the current far-right Israeli messianic government than in Israel itself. Within weeks of assuming power, hundreds of thousands of Israelis began protesting weekly against the anti-human rights agenda of their government. The coalition of five right-wing, religious, and Jewish supremacist parties that make up the government received a minority of the popular vote (48.4%) in the election that brought them to power. Political parties to the left — admittedly a broad spectrum from centre-right to progressive left — won more than 50% of the vote in that fateful election. Sometimes the vagaries of the electoral system tip victory to the loser. Those demonstrations have at times reached more than a quarter of a million on a single Saturday night in Tel Aviv alone. Since the October 7 Hamas terror attack, and despite an inevitable rallying around the flag effect, tens of thousands of Israelis opposed to Netanyahu have continued to take to the streets. Demonstrations only ceased when rockets rained down from Hamas at the start of the war, and more recently, over the 12-day war with incoming ballistic missiles from Iran. Yet despite two years of weekly protests and plunging political popularity, this government remains in power. Most Israelis feel exhausted. Most feel powerless. If families of the remaining hostages have been unable to pressure their government to prioritise Israeli lives, the lives of their children held in underground tunnels for two years, does Geldof think that they can pressurise the government to consider the fate of Palestinian children? Mainstream, secular, and centrist Israelis feel under assault. First, they came under attack from their government, then came the trauma of October 7 and the murder of over 1,200 Israelis by Hamas in a short few hours. Within 48 hours of those terror attacks, anti-Israeli demonstrations had erupted around the world, and then came months of rocket attacks, including cruise missiles from Iran. Despite the war, or perhaps because of it, the government continues to assault its civil liberties by advancing authoritarian legislation. In addition, the exponential growth of global anti-Semitism is undeniable. A protest outside the US embassy demanding the end of the war and immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in Tel Aviv earlier this month. Picture: AP/Maya Alleruzzo Most Israelis are vehemently opposed to their messianic revolutionary government. They are revolted by the images of marauding settlers on the West Bank, and also sickened by the words of many far-right ministers that ricochet around the world in minutes. Some of those same far-right ministers have mocked and belittled the families of hostages. Today, 70% want the war to stop, irrespective of so-called concessions to Hamas. International revulsion at the dystopian images coming from Gaza is understandable. With that, revulsion has come an undeniable visceral hatred of all Israelis. I think hate is not too strong a word. Visceral hatred of Israelis is now not just politically acceptable; it is widely socially championed — and let's be clear, we are talking about Israeli Jews. One in five Israeli citizens is a Palestinian or an Israeli Arab. The dehumanisation of all Palestinians by too many Israelis is now arguably matched by the demonisation of Israeli Jews by non-Israelis. There is a similar groupthink, and an 'othering' that lumps all Israelis together. This demonisation can have, has had, chilling outcomes. Geldof says Israelis are subject to 'heavily censored news'. There is, however, no government censorship of the news in Israel, at least not in the general understanding of the word. The mainstream commercial TV news channels indeed refuse to show what the rest of the world sees nightly. Ironically, it is the public service broadcaster, Kan, which recently shows the most graphic footage. News editors have told me Kan's two commercial rivals are more concerned about a TV ratings war than revealing the truth of the war in Gaza. In fact, many journalists of the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper, the Israeli paper of record, are fearless in their criticism and condemnation of both the government and the war on Gaza. Some of the most powerful investigative journalism exposing Israel's war crimes in Gaza has come from Israeli Haaretz investigative journalists. This includes a recent damning revelation of a shoot-to-kill policy of Israeli soldiers at food distribution points in Gaza. Haaretz is on sale in every town and city in Israel. Perhaps the very fact Haaretz is readily available makes the seeming indifference of too many Israelis more inexcusable. Geldof argues there are no excuses for the seeming Israeli difference to genocide 70km from Tel Aviv. He is right, there aren't. I have written many times in this newspaper about the moral failures of Israeli society, particularly its universities, trade unions, and television media stars, to speak out more loudly about the undeniable Israeli war crimes. There is, of course, no context to acts of genocide. There is, however, a context to the simple assertion that Israelis 'snap out of it' and 'rise up against their government'. If the fate of governments were determined by the scale and duration of street power alone, this unpopular far-right regime would have long since been consigned to the dustbin of political history by Israelis themselves. And perhaps, just perhaps, tens of thousands of dead Palestinians would be alive today. Paul Kearns is an Irish journalist living in Israel
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
‘Stock your cars full of food and drive through that border'
'Stock your cars full of food and drive through that border' Quotable In a televised interview, Irish singer and activist Bob Geldof urged Israelis who wanted to protest Israel's campaign on Gaza to drive there themselves and feed the starving. Video Duration 01 minutes 08 seconds 01:08 Video Duration 01 minutes 08 seconds 01:08 Video Duration 01 minutes 30 seconds 01:30 Video Duration 00 minutes 59 seconds 00:59 Video Duration 01 minutes 06 seconds 01:06 Video Duration 01 minutes 20 seconds 01:20 Video Duration 01 minutes 12 seconds 01:12
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Bob Geldof in furious Gaza rant as he shouts 'shut up' in live interview
Sir Bob Geldof has revealed that footage of malnourished youngsters in Gaza "enrages" him whilst condemning the UK Government for failing to take sufficient action. The Band Aid founder accused Israel's administration of "lying" about the absence of "no famine caused by Israel", declaring: "They're dangling food in front of starving, panicked, exhausted mothers." During an impassioned Sky News interview, an incensed Sir Bob questioned how Britain could develop a cutting-edge supercomputer this month whilst infants in Gaza were forced to survive on mere teaspoons of salt and minimal water supplies, demanding: "Shut up. What have we become that we can do this miracle and perpetuate this agony?". He also criticised the UK administration, claiming they had achieved "not enough". Sir Bob dismissed the idea that recognising Palestinian statehood - something Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to do - would make any "difference" to the humanitarian crisis, reports the Mirror. Palestinian Yezen Abu Ful, 2, whose health has deteriorated due to lack of access to food and nutritional supplements. (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images) A charity organization distributed food to Palestinians facing severe difficulties accessing basic necessities due to Israel's ongoing blockade and military operations in the Gaza Strip on July 24, 2025. (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images) He urged Labour MPs to cease signing correspondence calling for recognition, branding it a form of "virtue signalling" at this stage, stating: "Enough. Guys, focus on the issue to hand." The political activist emphasised that the most urgent matter is to prevent starving mothers and infants from being exploited as "instruments of war". Regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, he stated: "I'm really not interested in what either of these sides are saying. When you target infants and children, when their wounds are no longer capable of healing, when breastfeeding mothers can no longer do this, then everything goes out the window." Sir Bob expressed his views on the situation in Gaza, suggesting that Israelis who disagree with their government's actions should take direct action: "What's unfair is what's happening to these babies.... What's unfair is that one hour from the hunger, people are sitting down to their unthreatened dinners to turn on the next Netflix show." He boldly proposed a solution for Israeli protesters: "So if Israelis want to protest, get in your cars. This is very bold stuff, I know, sorry about that. Get in your car, stuff your cars full of food and drive through that border and let your own army stop you." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Sir Bob Geldof shouts 'shut up' on Sky News in passionate plea for Gaza children
The Band Aid organiser accused the Israeli government of 'lying' about there being "no famine caused by Israel". Furious Bob Geldof speaks about starvation in Gaza Sir Bob Geldof has slammed the UK Government for not doing enough in Gaza, saying images of starving children 'enrages' him. The Band Aid organiser accused the Israeli government of 'lying' about there being "no famine caused by Israel". "They're dangling food in front of starving, panicked, exhausted mothers," he said. A furious Sir Bob questioned how a powerful supercomputer could be developed in the UK earlier this month at the same time as babies were being forced to survive on a teaspoon of salt and as much water as possible in Gaza. During a passionate interview with Sky News, he said: "Shut up. What have we become that we can do this miracle and perpetuate this agony?' He was also critical of the UK government, which he said had done "not enough" and suggested recognising Palestinian statehood - as Keir Starmer has been under pressure to do - would not make a "difference" to the humanitarian emergency. He told Labour MPs to stop signing their letters calling for it and said it was a kind of "virtue signalling" at this point, adding: "Enough. Guys, focus on the issue to hand." As reported by the Mirror, the political activist said the absolute priority is stopping starving mothers and infants being used as 'instruments of war'. On the Israel-Hamas conflict, he said: "I'm really not interested in what either of these sides are saying. When you target infants and children, when their wounds are no longer capable of healing, when breastfeeding mothers can no longer do this, then everything goes out the window." When asked if it was "unfair" to criticise Israelis, many of whom were protesting against their PM Benjamin Netanyahu's offensive in Gaza, Sir Bob said they should drive to the border to drop off aid. He said: "What's unfair is what's happening to these babies.... What's unfair is that one hour from the hunger, people are sitting down to their unthreatened dinners to turn on the next Netflix show. "So if Israelis want to protest, get in your cars. This is very bold stuff, I know, sorry about that. Get in your car, stuff your cars full of food and drive through that border and let your own army stop you." The UK is working with the Jordanian authorities to get aid in through airdrops into Gaza. Treasury minister James Murray said: 'We need to be doing everything we possibly can to help.' But he admitted "there are real limits and drawbacks with airdrops when it comes to aid". Elsewhere, the PM has been under pressure to recognise Palestine immediately after French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country would do so in September. Some 221 MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and independents have signed a letter pressuring the Government to follow suit at a UN meeting next week. The majority of those who have signed, 131, are Labour MPs. Mr Murray said on Sunday: "As a Government, we're committed to the recognition of Palestine, but we need to work with international partners and we need to use that moment to galvanise change. It needs to be part of a pathway to peace." He added: "140 countries have already recognised Palestine. The suffering is still continuing." Meanwhile Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said pictures of children starving in Gaza have not changed her support for Israel. "War is a difficult situation and what I see when I see Israel is a country that is trying to defend itself, mostly from Iran and a lot of its proxies, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis. I think they are in a very difficult situation. "What worries me is that the length of time that this war has been going on is making it very difficult for the people in the Palestinian territories and also for Israel. We need to bring things to an end."
Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Israel ‘lying' about famine in Gaza: Geldof
LONDON: Israel is 'lying' about claims there is no famine in Gaza, according to rock musician Bob Geldof. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The former Boomtown Rats frontman told Sky News that Israel bears responsibility for mass starvation in the enclave, after Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer claimed there was 'no famine caused by Israel' and 'Hamas starves its own people.' In an interview with Sky earlier this week, Mencer said: 'This suffering exists because Hamas made it so. Here are the facts. Aid is flowing through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Millions of meals are being delivered directly to civilians.' But Geldof told the 'Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips' show: '(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu lies, is a liar. The IDF are lying. They're dangling food in front of starving, panicked, exhausted mothers. 'And, while they arrive to accept the tiny amount of food that this sort of set-up pantomime outfit, the Gaza Humanitarian Front (sic), I would call it, as they dangle it, then they're shot wantonly. 'This month, up to now, 1,000 children or 1,000 people have died of starvation. I'm really not interested in what either of these sides are saying.' This week, authorities in Gaza said 127 people have died from malnutrition-related causes since the start of the war in October 2023, 85 of whom were children. Mencer told Sky that aid was entering Gaza and that over 4,400 trucks carrying supplies had entered the enclave. The charity Doctors Without Borders, however, said that around a quarter of children and pregnant women in Gaza are malnourished, accusing Israel of 'deliberate use of starvation as a weapon.' Geldof urged Israelis to protest against the actions of their government and to take aid into Gaza themselves. 'If the newsfeeds and social feeds weren't so censored in Israel, I imagine that the Israeli people would not permit what has been done in their name,' he said. 'Get in your cars, stock your cars full of food and drive through that border and let your own army stop you.' Geldof also said it was right that the UK should recognize a Palestinian state, but criticized the government for not doing enough to stop the conflict. 'This is a distraction thing about 'let's recognize the state' — absolutely, it should have been done ages ago, but it's not going to make any material difference.' An Israeli security official told Sky: 'Despite the false claims that are being spread, the State of Israel does not limit the number of humanitarian aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip. 'Over the past month, we have witnessed a significant decline in the collection of aid from the crossings into the Gaza Strip by international aid organizations. 'The delays in collection by the UN and international organizations harm the situation and the food security of Gaza's residents.' The Israeli military told Sky: 'The IDF allows the American civilian organization (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation) to distribute aid to Gaza residents independently and operates in proximity to the new distribution zones to enable the distribution alongside the continuation of IDF operational activities in the Gaza Strip. 'Following incidents in which harm to civilians who arrived at distribution facilities was reported, thorough examinations were conducted in the Southern Command and instructions were issued to forces in the field following lessons learned. 'The aforementioned incidents are under review by the competent authorities in the IDF.'
