U2’s Bono on surprise Israel visit

Bono on Sept. 10, 2011. Photo by Peter Neill

U2 lead singer Bono is on a personal visit to Israel.

The Irish singer, whose given name is Paul David Hewson, was seen at a restaurant and bar in Jaffa port with friends, surrounded by tight security.

U2 last performed in Israel in 1997; Bono reportedly does not have any current plans to perform in Israel.

Bono, who is also a human rights activist, announced in February, 2010, that the band would play in Israel the following summer, but it was never arranged, following an outcry from pro-Palestinian groups that urged him to boycott the Jewish state. He had turned down an invitation to play in Israel two years before that.