Boy George, the Culture Club singer and solo artist, has spoken out against anti-Israel activists who have condemned him for his support for Israel, including his decision to ignore calls to boycott this year’s Eurovision Song Contest because Israel will be taking part as usual.
Boy George will be performing at Eurovision with Senhit, an Italian singer representing San Marino. They will sing the song, "Superstar."
The Daily Mail quoted Boy George as he spoke before the annual London Eurovision Party earlier this month as saying, “I have many, many Jewish friends that I’ve had since I was 15 or 16 years old… Are people asking me as a principled human being to turn my back on my Jewish friends? It’s not going to happen, it’s never going to happen."
"From the beginning of my career, I wore a Jewish star," continued Boy George. "Go back and look at pictures of Culture Club. I am so affiliated with Jewish people. I am not necessarily affiliated with Israel. I don’t really have an opinion on that. But the job of music is to unite people.”
Five countries have withdrawn from the song competition this year because Israel will be included: Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Ireland, which is Boy George’s mother’s home country. Speaking about Ireland, he said, “I hope they’re not too angry. But if they are, that’s out of my control.”
Call for Eurovision Israel boycott
Euronews reported last week that more than one thousand musicians, including such Irish artists as Kneecap, signed an open letter from the organization No Music for Genocide calling for a boycott of Eurovision 2026 in protest of Israel’s participation. Others who signed this letter included Brian Eno, Massive Attack, and Roger Waters.
But another 1,000 artists and entertainment industry professionals, including Boy George, recently signed a letter, sponsored by the Creative Community for Peace, supporting Israel’s continued participation in Eurovision. Other signatories included Helen Mirren and Amy Schumer.
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Vienna following Austrian singer JJ's victory with their song Wasted Love in Switzerland last year. Israel’s Yuval Raphael came in second place in 2025, winning the televoting. Noam Bettan will be Israel’s contestant at Eurovision this year. Oddsmakers quoted in Eurovision World predict Bettan to finish sixth overall and win the televoting.