British pop singer Boy George arrived in Israel for two concerts and was received in Jerusalem by Isaac Herzog on November 2, 2026, amid the artist’s prominent public defense of the country following the October 7, 2023, attacks.
I am here with you, out of love, out of a conviction for peace, and out of a desire to be able to dance, live, and celebrate together again.
Boy George, pop artist, via JForum
Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal, hosted the musician at the presidential residence in Jerusalem on November 2, 2026. President Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, welcomed the former Culture Club singer into his office and praised him as a formidable friend. President Herzog commended the singer for his public stances and denounced ongoing cultural discrimination against Israelis and Jewish artists.
In the worlds of culture, art, and music, which should bring people closer together, we have seen a particular form of discrimination spread toward Israelis and Jews.
Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, via i24NEWS
Coiffé d’un béret noir lors de la rencontre présidentielle, l’artiste âgé de 65 ans s’est adressé à son hôte en hébreu avec la phrase Peuple d’Israël, nous danserons à nouveau !, comme l’a rapporté Bfmtv. The phrase echoes the Hebrew slogan Od Nirkod adopted by survivors of the Nova Music Festival, where more than 360 people were killed by Palestinian assailants on October 7.
Concert Schedule and Dedications in Tel Aviv
The artist’s itinerary includes two performances at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv. A second performance, newly announced for November 7, is titled We Will Dance Again
and is dedicated specifically to the survivors of the Nova Music Festival massacre.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed British music icon Boy George to Israel ahead of the singer’s upcoming performances in Tel Aviv.“We are known as a people of the book, but we are also a people of music,” Herzog said, highlighting the importance of music and culture in… pic.twitter.com/ARLOBJO1rO
Boy George previously performed in Israel in 2017 at the Menorah Arena, a show that featured a guest performance by Dana International. When his initial November concert was first announced, the artist stated it was his honor to come to Israel and expressed hope that everyone would be there to celebrate an evening of love, positivity, and good vibes. For the upcoming performances, he similarly invited audiences to join for a night of beautiful music, harmony, and love. Former hostage Elkana Bohbot, who was abducted from the Nova festival and spent 738 days in captivity before gaining his freedom, spoke alongside the artist at the presidential residence about the significance of the singer’s anthem as detailed by i24NEWS.
Single Release and Public Backlash
The track sets reggae rhythms against lyrics addressing international criticism of Israel’s military campaign, with opening lines declaring that while critics say genocide, he says war, and that when someone is attacked, that is what the army is for. The song led to significant professional fallout in the United Kingdom, prompting the singer to withdraw from a West End musical scheduled for August.
Reflecting on the shift in his public standing, the musician noted that his recent advocacy altered how he is perceived by the public. In a way, the former Boy George no longer exists, because some people no longer see me as before, and many others are discovering me in a new light,
he observed during his meeting with President Herzog. Sylvan Adams, serving as president of the Israeli branch of the World Jewish Congress during the meetings, commended the artist for taking a stand against hatred despite not being Jewish himself.