U2 paid tribute to the 260 festival goers killed by Hamas militants in what is believed to be the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history.
During a performance Sunday at the newly opened Sphere venue in Las Vegas, Bono dedicated their song “Pride (In the Name of Love)” to the young victims who were shot and killed during this weekend’s attack on the late-night Tribe of Nova trance music festival near Kibbutz Reim in southern Israel, near the Gaza Strip.
“In light of what has happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about nonviolence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable. But our prayers have always been for peace and non-violence,” Bono told the crowd. “But our hearts and our anger, you know what that points to. So sing along with us… and those beautiful children at that music festival.”
Bono then changed the lyrics as he sang: “Early in the morning, October 7 / As the sun rises in the desert sky / Stars of David, they took your life / But they couldn’t take your pride.”
“Pride (In the Name of Love)” was written to pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., with the same line of lyrics referencing his assassination on April 4, 1968.
At least 260 people have been confirmed killed in the music festival massacre, with the number of people held hostage still undetermined. The militants crossed into the country from Gaza and opened fire on about 3,500 young Israelis who had gathered that night to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot at one of the first locations to be attacked.
On Saturday, Hamas militants stormed into Israel in an unprecedented surprise attack, shooting civilians in the streets and dragging men, women and children into captivity, sparking what is about to erupt into full-blown conflict. At least 1,600 lives have been claimed on both sides, according to the Associated Press. Israel says Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are now holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians hostage.
