Boy George defends Eurovision participation, refuses to "turn against" Jewish friends

Boy George hits back at Eurovision boycott calls, stating he won't turn his back on Jewish friends. Representing San Marino, he says music must unite.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 9:50 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

A High-Profile Defense of Inclusion

As the Eurovision Song Contest approaches its May 2026 kickoff in Vienna, British pop icon Boy George is addressing the intense political pressure surrounding the event. Following the decision by several nations—Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Slovenia—to quit the contest in protest of Israel’s approved participation, Boy George has reaffirmed his commitment to perform. In an interview with Sky News, the singer characterized the expectation that he boycott the event as "lunacy," stating he refuses to turn his back on his extensive network of Jewish friends and fans.

Refusing the "Roger Waters" Approach

Boy George cited his previous refusal to adhere to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, specifically mentioning a past letter from Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters urging him not to perform in Tel Aviv. "I went because I’ve got a lot of fans in Israel," the singer explained. He further noted that his personal experiences with the Jewish community in the UK—whom he described as "beautiful, good, kind, smart, loving people"—heavily influence his stance against cultural boycotts.

Cultural Affiliation and the Star of David

Speaking to The Daily Mail, the "Karma Chameleon" singer pointed to his long-standing aesthetic and personal history as evidence of his support. He noted that from the beginning of his career with Culture Club, he frequently wore the Star of David as a symbol of his affinity for Jewish culture. While he attempted to draw a distinction between his love for the people and his political opinions on the state of Israel—stating he doesn't "really have an opinion" on the latter—he maintained that the ultimate "job of music is to unite people."