U2 frontman Bono and Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have engaged in a sharp public dispute after the musician compared the politician to Nazi official Heinrich Himmler during a magazine interview.
Bono’s Rolling Stone Interview and U2’s New Single
In an interview published by Rolling Stone ahead of U2’s upcoming album, Bono discussed the band’s new single, “The Tears of Things.” The musician described the track as an elliptical take on the history of Gaza. During the conversation, Bono condemned the October 7 attacks by Hamas as an unholy offense while also expressing concern over the rhetoric of members of the Israeli government.
Bono specifically criticized remarks attributed to Ben-Gvir, comparing the minister’s statements regarding Palestinians to the ideology of Heinrich Himmler, the leader of the SS and an architect of the “final solution”, the plan to eliminate all Jewish people from Europe. The U2 singer expressed dismay that a government minister holding such views could operate without arrest, contrasting the political rhetoric with his deep admiration for Jewish culture, artists, and thinkers.
Itamar Ben-Gvir Responds on Social Media
Ben-Gvir fired back swiftly against the musician’s remarks through a post on the social media platform X. The Israeli security minister accused supporters of terrorism of hypocrisy, stating that the nation is done shaping its security policy to win outside approval.
“We are done shaping Israel’s security policy to win the approval of hypocritical supporters of terrorism,” Ben-Gvir wrote on X. He added that Jews are finished apologizing for their right to live and suggested that critics who care about Gaza’s residents should help them emigrate to Ireland.
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European Travel Bans and Prior Diplomatic Friction
The exchange follows diplomatic measures taken against Ben-Gvir by European nations earlier in the year. In June, the Taoiseach banned both Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering Ireland. The decision followed the circulation of a video showing Ben-Gvir mocking bound and detained activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. France similarly announced an entry ban against the Israeli minister.
Bono has previously faced criticism for his stance on the conflict. Last August, the singer publicly condemned the Hamas attacks while reiterating his support for Israel’s right to exist alongside a two-state solution.
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