Latest news with #SundayBloodySunday
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Bono wrong to say activism has gotten complex especially when it comes to Gaza'
I can't believe the news today. The opening line a young Bono wrote in the 1980s to U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday. The words were inspired back then by the indiscriminate shooting of civilians in Derry by heavily armed troops. He sang them again last week as U2 collected a lifetime Ivor Novello award Bono also used the occasion to belatedly raise his voice on the 600 days of slaughter in Gaza that have followed the October 7 massacre of Israeli civilians by Hamas. He declared: "Hamas release the hostages, stop the war. Israel be released from Benjamin Netanyahu." It was a somewhat muted take, coming as it did during the dire hours in which multiple agencies, world leaders and activists were warning that thousands of Gazan children were about to die from forced starvation. Not even so much as a "tonight thank God it's them instead of you." But then as Bono would go on to explain to us later that week, when speaking to RTE, these things are "complex." The frontman also lamented the "competitive empathy" of those who think "my emergency is more important than your emergency." It wasn't clear which emergency was competing with the plight of Gaza's children that day. Israel's vengeful assault would equate to 4,000 Bloody Sundays committed against civilians in Ireland for 600 days running. It would be comparable to the complete ethnic cleansing of northern Catholics by forcibly removing them over the border. And akin to the slaughter during the Troubles of hundreds of aid workers, paramedics and journalists. As atrocity goes, that's pretty competitive. Bono also defended the medal of honour he accepted from Joe Biden and America, the country that has bankrolled all that horror. "I kind of get the realpolitik of the situation that Joe Biden found himself in... I took that medal on behalf of all those people who don't get medals: the activists, the people who are getting killed now in Gaza ... it's deeply ironic." Indeed it is. Almost as ironic as this column wanting to hear more from Bono after years wishing he would just shut up. Wanting to hear him now use his pulpit in the US to forcefully call out the slaughter in Gaza - purely on its own merits. To sing: "I can't believe the news today" and sing it just for seven-year-old Verd al-Sheikh Khalil who survived this week's Bloody Sunday on the strip – or was it the early hours of another Bloody Monday – after an Israeli shell was fired at the Fahmi al-Jarjawi School where she was sheltering. Her five siblings and her mother all died. Verd can be seen in a video emerging bewildered from the rubble and the flames of another day's unforgettable fire. It would be welcome too to hear Bono sing…"I can't close my eyes and make it go away"… and dedicate it only to Doctor Alaa al Najjar. The lifeless bodies of nine of her 10 children were plucked from the rubble of her home as she worked at the Nasser Medical Complex, in Khan Younis tending the other dying and maimed. Yahya, Rakan, Raslan, Gebran, Eve, Rival, Sayden, Luqman and Sidra - aged from just a few months to 12 years old. In Benjamin Netanyahu's twisted world they would be classed "on the wrong side of humanity" like the world leaders he described that way for daring to challenge this genocidal campaign. To even utter the words "Free Palestine" – as an honourable roll call of Irish artists have – is "the new Heil Hitler" the blue-rinsed butcher of Gaza absurdly declared. It is in these dark hours that Bono told us he has decided to take a backwards step from his activism, because it is hard to keep up with the complexities of it all as a "single issue" guy. In that he is wrong. It's not hard. It's as simple as it ever was. You ignore the realpolitik. And remember what it feels like when you can't close your eyes and make it go away.
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Fans thrilled as Bono drops new EP on same day as film release
Bono has released a new limited edition 3-track live EP Stories Of Surrender , accompanying the Apple Original Film titled Bono: Stories of Surrender , also available today. The EP features live recordings of three U2 tracks Desire, The Showman and Sunday Bloody Sunday taken from Bono's one-man stage show of the same name, itself inspired by his bestselling memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story . The Stories Of Surrender EP sees Bono joined once again by musicians Gemma Doherty (Harp, Keyboard, Vocals) and Kate Ellis (Cello, Keyboard, Vocals), as well as Musical Director Jacknife Lee. The film Bono: Stories of Surrender received its worldwide premiere at this years Cannes Film Festival, where it received a seven-minute standing ovation. It includes footage from Bono's solo shows at New York's Beacon Theatre in 2023, as well as spoken word passages from his book. The Stories Of Surrender EP is out now digitally and on 7″ black vinyl. Find the full tracklist below: 1. 'Desire' (Stories Of Surrender Version) 2. 'The Showman' (Stories Of Surrender Version) 3. 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' (Stories Of Surrender Version)
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Bono urges Israel to move on from Netanyahu and far-right leaders
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Irish singer and U2 frontman Bono publicly called for Israel to move beyond Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right elements during his remarks at the 2024 Ivors music awards ceremony. Bono's speech marked his first comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict since the war escalated in October the audience before a performance of the band's 1983 song "Sunday Bloody Sunday," Bono described the pursuit of peace as a radical but necessary act. 'Believing in the possibility of peace was then and is now a rebellious act,' Bono said, referring to the song's themes. He continued, 'Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there's a few of them out there right now.'Also read: Trump-Netanyahu 'fight': All is not well btw old friends? US Prez had 'fall out' with BiBi over Iran Bono's remarks were made as U2 became the first Irish songwriters to receive an academy fellowship at the Ivors, an honor presented by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The annual ceremony, held this year on May 22, recognized Bono and fellow U2 members for their contributions to music and social his speech, Bono called for multiple sides in the ongoing conflict to take action. 'Hamas, release the hostages. Stop the war,' he stated. Turning to Israeli leadership, Bono added, 'Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts.'Bono also emphasized the importance of protecting humanitarian workers, describing them as essential contributors in crisis zones. 'All of you protect our aid workers, they are the best of us,' he speech came as global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, expressed concern over Israel's renewed military action in Gaza. Earlier this week, the trio released a joint statement reaffirming support for a two-state solution and recognition of a Palestinian state as part of long-term peace read: 'If not today, then tomorrow': Netanyahu warns Hamas, promises to bring back every hostage Bono introduced U2's performance of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' by linking the historic context of the song to the present conflict. The track originally referenced the 1972 shootings in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, when British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civil rights protesters, resulting in 14 performing the politically charged song, U2 underscored its long-standing engagement with global peace movements. Bono, who received the Peace Summit Award at the 2008 Nobel Peace Laureates Summit, used the platform to reiterate his ongoing advocacy for diplomatic solutions to international recently criticized leaders including Starmer, Macron, and Carney, accusing them of emboldening Hamas by supporting the recognition of Palestinian statehood. Bono's comments add to a growing chorus of international voices urging de-escalation and structural change in both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bono urges Israel to move on from Netanyahu and far-right leaders
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Irish singer and U2 frontman Bono publicly called for Israel to move beyond Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right elements during his remarks at the 2024 Ivors music awards ceremony. Bono's speech marked his first comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict since the war escalated in October the audience before a performance of the band's 1983 song "Sunday Bloody Sunday," Bono described the pursuit of peace as a radical but necessary act. 'Believing in the possibility of peace was then and is now a rebellious act,' Bono said, referring to the song's themes. He continued, 'Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there's a few of them out there right now.'Also read: Trump-Netanyahu 'fight': All is not well btw old friends? US Prez had 'fall out' with BiBi over Iran Bono's remarks were made as U2 became the first Irish songwriters to receive an academy fellowship at the Ivors, an honor presented by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The annual ceremony, held this year on May 22, recognized Bono and fellow U2 members for their contributions to music and social his speech, Bono called for multiple sides in the ongoing conflict to take action. 'Hamas, release the hostages. Stop the war,' he stated. Turning to Israeli leadership, Bono added, 'Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts.'Bono also emphasized the importance of protecting humanitarian workers, describing them as essential contributors in crisis zones. 'All of you protect our aid workers, they are the best of us,' he speech came as global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, expressed concern over Israel's renewed military action in Gaza. Earlier this week, the trio released a joint statement reaffirming support for a two-state solution and recognition of a Palestinian state as part of long-term peace read: 'If not today, then tomorrow': Netanyahu warns Hamas, promises to bring back every hostage Bono introduced U2's performance of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' by linking the historic context of the song to the present conflict. The track originally referenced the 1972 shootings in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, when British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civil rights protesters, resulting in 14 performing the politically charged song, U2 underscored its long-standing engagement with global peace movements. Bono, who received the Peace Summit Award at the 2008 Nobel Peace Laureates Summit, used the platform to reiterate his ongoing advocacy for diplomatic solutions to international recently criticized leaders including Starmer, Macron, and Carney, accusing them of emboldening Hamas by supporting the recognition of Palestinian statehood. Bono's comments add to a growing chorus of international voices urging de-escalation and structural change in both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
TV review: Stories of Surrender shows Bono baldly defending his reputation
Ten minutes into Bono: Stories of Surrender (Apple TV+) and I'm thinking someone should have told Bono not to do this. And then he starts talking about his father Bob, how he never mentioned Bono's mother again after she died, riddled with grief. And then this show comes alive. Just like his memoir of almost the same name, it's gripping and surprising, showing a Bono that doesn't come across in interviews. As long as you get through that first 10 gruesome minutes, where Bono is Bono with knobs on, on-stage in a darkly lit theatre, ham-acting as a surgeon working on his wonky heart in a New York hospital, almost daring us to switch off. After that, it's smooth and engaging as Bono talks about meeting his wife the same week he joined U2. It works because U2 is a good story, four boys form a band in north Dublin and rehearse in a cottage backing onto the graveyard where Bono's mother is buried. He's just the right amount of self-aware, admitting that he drives the band to improve when he can't play himself. The sequence where he spits out the origin story of U2's early hit, I Will Follow - addressing three empty chairs on stage as Larry, Adam and the Edge – should have been awful. But the punch-line is the iconic guitar intro to that song, so you're drawn in and satisfied. He re-enacts having a weekly drink with his father in Finnegan's in Dalkey, capturing the prickly relationship beautifully. At this point, it's hard to know what you're watching. It's all still on the stage, Bono breaking off his pint with his father to talk about U2 almost splitting up over their Christian beliefs, ending that segment with a gentle version of Sunday Bloody Sunday. Whatever the show is, I like it. You don't have to be a U2 fan to enjoy Stories of Surrender, although it probably helps, particularly when the fragmentary songs go on a bit too long. Bono shows he actually can act when he performs as himself, his Dad, the four members of the band and Luciano Pavarotti, in story that ends with his father falling for Princess Diana at a concert in Italy. He baldly defends his reputation, admitting that he's a hypocrite in some regards, but who cares as long as he delivers results. In the third act, he turns inwards, talks about his family and his motivations. Is he a good person, or does he just like the attention? You can watch and decide for yourself. And you should watch. This is a brilliant bit of telly.
