U2’s Bono Dedicates Song to Shimon Peres

Image by getty images

By Gabe Friedman July 9, 2015

(JTA) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres may be a big U2 fan, but it seems like Bono is an even bigger Shimon Peres fan.

Peres, who was in town for an economic conference, was part of the crowd at U2’s performance at the Air Canada Center, in Toronto, Canada. During the band’s encore, Bono took advantage of the opportunity to praise Peres — who also did a stint as Israel’s president until retiring last year — for his efforts to broker a two-state solution.

“There’s somebody here who’s got one of the hardest jobs on earth,” Bono said, referring to Peres, “somebody who has acted as the voice of reason in a region where the loudest voices are often the bellicose ones.”

“We understand, President Peres, that you have tried to be the voice of reason. And you’ve dedicated a lot of your life, all of your life, to try and bring peace in this really dangerous region,” the Irish rock star continued. “We wish that you, who worked so hard for that incredible Oslo Accord, that you don’t give up on the two-state solution. At age 92, we know we can count on you.”

Before launching into the band’s 1992 hit “One,” Bono said, “We’re going to sing this song with two ancient peoples in mind.”

Bono and Peres met after the show, and the Times of Israel reported that Peres called Bono “a voice for hope and peace.”

Watch Bono’s tribute to Peres at around 17:40 in the video below.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO