U2 Singer Bono Compares Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir to Nazi Heinrich Himmler

Bono, the lead singer of the Irish rock band U2, has issued a strong condemnation of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, comparing his rhetoric to that of Heinrich Himmler, a high-ranking Nazi official. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Bono discussed the war in Gaza and his stance on Israel and the Jewish people.

Bono's comments on Israel arose in the context of his song "The Tears of Things," which explores Jewish history and the post-October 7th reality. He described the Hamas attack as a "heinous act and desecration" but affirmed his support for Israel, stating, "I stood by Israel, and still stand by it." He also expressed support for the Palestinian people and their right to a state.

However, Bono's remarks became significantly harsher when discussing Ben-Gvir. He reportedly compared the minister's statements regarding Gaza to Himmler's, suggesting a message that "there are people there who are not worthy of living. They don't need to live. They are not even human." Bono criticized Ben-Gvir's continued role as a minister, questioning why he wasn't imprisoned and attributing his position to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political dependence on him for coalition stability.

Bono also addressed the genocide allegations in Gaza, deferring judgment to international courts as it is a "legal term." He explained his personal connection to the issue, citing the profound influence of Jewish individuals on his life. He stated that Ben-Gvir "casts a shadow on their faith" and that his actions are "outrageous."

Concluding his remarks, Bono called for a compromise between Israelis and Palestinians, suggesting Israel "needs to fix what happened in the Nakba through compromise that some of these people don't want to do" and "do the right thing," asserting that "justice is at the heart of Judaism." This is not Bono's first public statement on the conflict; he previously dedicated a U2 song to the victims of the October 7th Nova music festival massacre and has criticized Netanyahu.