Boy George has addressed the backlash to his song which defends Israel’s military action in Palestine, saying that he “comes from a place of peace”.
The singer, 65, released the track earlier this week, which refutes the idea that a genocide is being carried out in Gaza, and later quit Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar following the controversy. He was due to play the role of King Herod from 3 to 15 of August, but left the show on Friday.
Speaking out about the furore caused by his song, titled עוד נרקוד in Hebrew and translates to “We Will Dance Again” in English, Boy George said: “Sometimes, I realise that being an air sign I expect the world to understand me without having to explain myself.”
He added in a statement given to The Sun: “The suggestion that I feel no compassion for Palestinians is both untrue and absurd. I am devastated for the loss of the innocent lives on both sides of this war and I call for peace.
“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. 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. I also spent time talking to May Hayat who survived while her best friend was murdered. We took a picture standing in front all the people who were killed that day.”
He said that the 7 October 2023 music festival attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people at the Nova music event and Israel launching a two-year barrage of strikes against Gaza in response, caused him to feel “deep emotions” as he had performed at similar festivals. “I could have been there and we know that there were people from more than 40 countries who were.” he said.
“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. I understand that 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 ended the statement by saying that he comes “from a place of peace”, adding: “I am a jew loving, trans hugging queer hippy and my mother would be proud of me.”
Last September, a two-year United Nations investigation found that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, with the bombardment killing over 73,000 Palestinians since the start of the war between the two countries. The investigation also cited the forced displacement of most of the two-million strong population, the destruction of the healthcare system as well as the blocking of essential food, water, aid and electricity that has led to famine.
The commission also described the “use of starvation as a weapon” along with the torture, rape and sexual assault of Palestinian detainees, and environmental destruction. In response, Israel’s foreign ministry called the UN report “distorted and false”.
In “We Will Dance Again”, Boy George sings the lyrics: “You say genocide, I say war/ When you’re attacked, that’s what the army’s for/ Does it get ugly? You bet it does/ When I know you wanna kill every last one of us.” He also criticises the pro-Palestine movement, singing: “You condemn, with selective memory/ Musicians holding flags, mouthing like sheep/ Propaganda fuelled by the internet feels so weak.”
On Friday, Boy George’s manager, Paul Kemsley, revealed that the singer had pulled out of Jesus Christ Superstar, writing that the decision was made “with the utmost respect for the producers, the creative team and the entire company”.
“George has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions, and I have always respected him for that,” he said. “Equally, I believe it is my responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interests of my artist while also showing respect to others. 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.”
Boy George, who is not Jewish, previously said that he felt “very connected to the Jewish people”, telling The Telegraph in June that “over the years, it’s become a really personal thing”.
“It doesn’t mean that I don’t have compassion for Palestinians, it doesn’t mean that I agree with what’s going on in Israel, but I am always going to defend the people that I love,” he added.