U2's Bono issued a call to "stop war" ahead of performing Sunday Bloody Sunday at the Ivor Novello Awards ceremony at London's Grosvenor House on Thursday evening.
The performance came as the group became the first Irish songwriters to be awarded an academy fellowship at the 70th year of the awards ceremony, known as The Ivors.
U2 received their fellowships from Ed Sheeran with Bono making a call for peace.
Watch: U2's acceptance speeches
While the singer made his acceptance speech, The Edge began to strum the chords of Sunday Bloody Sunday.
Bono said: "I used to introduce this next song by explaining that it wasn't a rebel song.
Thanks to the Ivors and Ed for a great honour and a great night
— U2 (@U2) May 23, 2025
-Adam, Bono, Edge and Larry pic.twitter.com/6J2hFKi3SL
"It was because believing in the possibilities of peace was, then, and is now a rebellious act, and some would say a ridiculous one. To believe peace was attainable between your country and ours, between our country and itself was a ridiculous idea that we're pleased we hold on to very tightly right now.
"Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there's a few of them out there right now.
"Hamas, release the hostages. Stop war. Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu.
"All of you, protect our aid workers. They are the best of us."
The group ended the evening with a performance of Angel of Harlem.
Hosted by The Ivors Academy, the awards ceremony aims to recognise and celebrate "exceptional achievements in songwriting and screen composing".
Source: Press Association
