TEL AVIV – Boy George shot down claims from BDS activists that his performance in Tel Aviv Tuesday night was tantamount to performing in South Africa during apartheid, saying the two weren’t comparable and that Israel was in his heart.
“So George are you saying you would have played South Africa during apartheid??” a Twitter user asked the Culture Club frontman.
“I could have an[d] I didn’t. Could have earned well from such a gig. Israel is in my heart. Completely different equation,” Boy George shot back.
“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!” the singer responded to a different post critiquing his decision to perform in Israel.
On Tuesday, Twitter user Magenta Purple wrote to the singer: “Disappointed that you have played Israel. I wish you would get involved with the @BDSmovement [Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement].”
“I’m disappointed by your tweet. Also by the fact that you are actually doing zero to help anyone or anything? Your energy is negative!” Boy George fired back.
Culture Club last played in Israel three decades ago.
Last month, Breitbart Jerusalem reported that Nick Cave and his band were the latest targets of the bullying campaign led by former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters aimed at preventing him from performing in Tel Aviv.
While a few artists, including Stevie Wonder and Lauryn Hill, caved to pressure from the BDS movement, most have ignored it, with Tel Aviv seeing concerts from the likes of Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Santana, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Aerosmith and Bon Jovi in recent years.