Boy George defends pro-Israel song, says critics ignore Israelis’ suffering

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 “We Will Dance Again,” pushing back on criticism that he lacks compassion for Palestinians while describing the track as a call for peace.

The performer released a lengthy statement carried by British and Jewish media, writing that he “realize[d] that being an air sign I expect the world to understand me without having to explain myself.”

“The suggestion that I feel no compassion for Palestinians is both untrue and absurd,” he stressed. “I have read members of the press calling me a ‘genocide denier’ yet those who deny the suffering of Israelis are given a free pass.”

Boy George explained how he was inspired to write the song after visiting an exhibition in London 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.

“My 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,” said Boy George, referring to British-Israeli musician Jake Marlowe, who was killed on October 7.

“I 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.”

#Shalom pic.twitter.com/0BfHIrThzO

— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) July 26, 2026

“Everyone knows what happened to innocent women, kids, babies, sons and fathers on that day, innocent people who were at a festival celebrating life,” George said about the Hamas-led onslaught.

“The 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,” he added. “I 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.”

‘My 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

Denying accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, George said: “My 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.”

“Look 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,” he said, in an apparent criticism of his colleagues.

“I 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,” he said, referring to the global surge in antisemitism since October 7

“I come from a place of peace. I am a jew loving, trans hugging queer hippy and my mother would be proud of me,” George concluded.

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.

“George has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions, and I have always respected him for that,” Kemsley wrote. “In 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.”

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.

“In 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,” he said, explaining that he had cut ties with Tony Pontius, who managed George’s record label, BGP Records. “I wanted to release ‘We Will Dance Again’ but he was unequivocal and said ‘I want nothing to do with this song’ and I responded ‘ok, we are done.'”

“When 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,” he said.