{"id":837659,"date":"2026-08-01T11:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T11:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/837659\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T11:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T11:34:13","slug":"boy-george-defends-pro-israel-song-says-critics-ignore-israelis-suffering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/837659\/","title":{"rendered":"Boy George defends pro-Israel song, says critics ignore Israelis’ suffering"},"content":{"rendered":"

A day after it was announced that he would no longer appear in a London production of Jesus Christ Superstar, British pop star Boy George spoke Friday about his new pro-Israel song<\/a> \u201cWe Will Dance Again,\u201d pushing back on criticism that he lacks compassion for Palestinians while describing the track as a call for peace.<\/p>\n

The performer released a lengthy statement carried by British and Jewish media, writing that he \u201crealize[d] that being an air sign I expect the world to understand me without having to explain myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe suggestion that I feel no compassion for Palestinians is both untrue and absurd,\u201d he stressed. \u201cI have read members of the press calling me a \u2018genocide denier\u2019 yet those who deny the suffering of Israelis are given a free pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boy George explained how he was inspired to write the song after visiting an exhibition in London<\/a> about the Nova music festival, where hundreds of people were murdered and dozens kidnapped during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, terror atrocities that sparked the war in Gaza. The name of the new song is a phrase adopted by survivors of the massacre at the rave.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy song is pro peace and about the emotions I felt after visiting the Nova Exhibition and talking to Michael and Lisa Marlowe who had their son Jake taken from them. Murdered trying help others,\u201d said Boy George, referring to British-Israeli musician Jake Marlowe<\/a>, who was killed on October 7.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI also spent time talking to May Hayat who survived while her best friend was murdered. We took a picture standing in front of all the people who were killed that day.\u201d<\/p>\n

#Shalom<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0BfHIrThzO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Boy George (@BoyGeorge) July 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone knows what happened to innocent women, kids, babies, sons and fathers on that day, innocent people who were at a festival celebrating life,\u201d George said about the Hamas-led onslaught.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Nova Festival is a mirror of my world as a DJ and I have played many such festivals, including in Israel so it resonated with me and I felt compelled to write something,\u201d he added. \u201cI could have been there and we know that there were people from more than 40 countries who were. I felt these deep emotions and I wrote this song for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018My personal opinion is that this is sadly a war, but not an attempt to wipe out Palestine. But I respect that everyone has their own opinions and believe we should all be allowed to have that right<\/p>\n

Denying accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, George said: \u201cMy personal opinion is that this is sadly a war, but not an attempt to wipe out Palestine. But I respect that everyone has their own opinions and believe we should all be allowed to have that right.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\u201cLook around and tell me one musician speaking out for the Jewish community, but you can absolutely guarantee they have made their living from working with a Jewish team member,\u201d he said, in an apparent criticism of his colleagues.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tThe Nova music festival in southern Israel as seen in \u2018We Will Dance Again.\u2019 (Courtesy)<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that it is uncomfortable to defend your friends when a war like this is raging but the woman who sells me bagels is not to blame, neither is my doctor or publicist, manager, ex boyfriend or my thousands of Jewish friends. This song is for them,\u201d he said, referring to the global surge in antisemitism since October 7<\/p>\n

\u201cI come from a place of peace. I am a jew loving, trans hugging queer hippy and my mother would be proud of me,\u201d George concluded.<\/p>\n

George had been set to portray King Herod as a guest star in the West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar. His manager, Paul Kemsley, announced his withdrawal from the role on Instagram on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cGeorge has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions, and I have always respected him for that,\u201d Kemsley wrote<\/a>. \u201cIn this instance, I felt it was right to step aside, allowing the production to remain the focus, while ensuring everyone involved can move forward with mutual respect and goodwill.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a separate post on X, George said his decision to stand with the Jewish people had come at a personal cost, but that it would not stop him from more widely releasing his new song, which is currently only available on his social media.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tBritish musician Boy George performs with Senhit (not pictured) representing San Marino with the song \u2018Superstar\u2019 during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. (Tobias Schwarz\/AFP)<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Buddhism we understand that every action comes with a consequence. Due to my decision to stand up for my Jewish friends I am losing a few people from my life,\u201d he said, explaining that he had cut ties with Tony Pontius, who managed George\u2019s record label, BGP Records. \u201cI wanted to release \u2018We Will Dance Again\u2019 but he was unequivocal and said \u2018I want nothing to do with this song\u2019 and I responded \u2018ok, we are done.’\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen someone is gutless it really does not hurt to say goodbye. My faith in humanity will not diminish and the truth will always win. I will release it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n


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The war with Iran has been draining for all of us in Israel. But when I heard about a high casualty incident \u2013 ballistic missile impacts in Arad and Dimona that left nearly 200 people wounded \u2013 I drank a cup of coffee, packed a bag, and headed south.<\/p>\n

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