OAKLAND, Calif. — English singer Boy George took a public stand against Jew-hatred in his new reggae-style song, “We Will Dance Again” issued in late July. The song’s title is a reference to the Nova music festival targeted by Hamas in its Oct. 7, 2023, pogrom in Israel.
The song rebukes many other artists who claim Hamas’ pogrom was justified and who falsely accuse Israel of carrying out genocide when it fights to defend its existence.
The song opens with 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.”
“You never mention October 7, young girls raped against trees, murdered brutally for the crime of dancing,” the lyrics continue, referring to Hamas’ attack on the Nova music festival.
“But trust me, we will dance again and there will be no war,” the artist sings. “But if you’re ever confused, I stand with the Jews. I don’t feel brave, I just need to behave like a human.”
Boy George has weighed in on the fight against Jew-hatred before, signing a petition in April opposing calls to ban Israel from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Since “We Will Dance Again” was issued, Boy George has faced serious threats. In London a mural that portrays the artist was defaced with an inverted red triangle — Hamas’ symbol for Jews targeted by its death squads — and the words, “Free Palestine.” Tony Pontius, Boy George’s BGP record label representative, refused to release the song, prompting the singer to end their commercial relationship. On X one user called Boy George “Zionist scum.”
“The suggestion that I feel no compassion for Palestinians is both untrue and absurd,” Boy George said July 31.
In an Aug. 10 Washington Post op-ed, musician John Ondrasik praised Boy George. Ondrasik’s 2023 song, “OK (We Are Not OK),” condemned those who blame Israel for Hamas’ pogrom. Ondrasik says that after he released the song he was the object of “vitriol and death threats.”
“One may ask why Boy George is subject to such attack while many artists freely spout anti-Israel, antisemitic rhetoric with seemingly little consequence,” Ondrasik writes.
Boy George responded July 31 to those suggesting he “pipe down” and let the controversy subside. “I’m afraid it’s not an option,” he said.