Boy George shows his love of Israel on Twitter and through his concert wardrobe
1980s pop icon hits out against pro-Palestinian activists as he performs in the Jewish state
Do you really want to hurt Boy George, pro-Palestinian activists?
The 1980s pop legend performed in Israel Tuesday night, and before the concert, he felt the usual pressure that high-profile performers receive these days from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Supporters of BDS pestered him on social media, urging him to cancel his scheduled performance to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.
But instead of persuading him to change his plans, the BDS push prompted George to display his affection for Israel on Twitter.
Can't wait! pic.twitter.com/xdpoKt6nFn
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) October 30, 2017
I play for my fans. not politicians. I have never looked at any political figure and thought 'yeah, you speak for me. The flow of positive energy is the key! https://t.co/RxI5f1lg8x
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) November 8, 2017
In response to someone who asked if he would have played in South Africa during the Apartheid era, the singer tweeted: “I could have an I didn’t. Could have earned well from such a gig. Israel is in my heart. Completely different equation”
.@BoyGeorge: "When I go to Israel people say you shouldn't go, you shouldn't go. Fuck off I go where I like!" pic.twitter.com/SjXLs0Ampc
— Amy Spiro (@AmySpiro) November 7, 2017
The Culture Club vocalist has performed in Israel multiple times — as such, he was sartorially prepared with this two-piece getup featuring red and gold Stars of David.
@BoyGeorge -Why didn't you end up wearing this on stage in Israel? pic.twitter.com/tUNn8p3ItX
— Sandy Beach ???? (@CryingGame100) November 7, 2017
It only ever matters to whom it matters @JMDavido 'relevant' is the latest lame cliche' pic.twitter.com/9Ga3MrD7HM
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) September 24, 2017
He wore the outfit at his concert at Tel Aviv’s Menora Mivtachim Arena.
Despite George’s colourful performance, this trip was’t all rosy this time around. In September, in a tweet that has since been deleted, George said that one of his band members refused to play Tel Aviv in protest.
“Given the abuse we get for playing in Israel and losing a member who refused to play.[sic] I think our trip is super relevant!” he wrote.
But George remained steadfast in his opinions about the BDS movement, which he derided in an interview with Israel’s Channel 2 late last month.
“We have to be really careful with the internet because people say, ‘everyone’s talking,’ and it’s like five people that are retweeting each other,” he said. “I want to play to my fans wherever they are.”
You do you, Boy George.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
