Boy George hits back at 'woke' Eurovision boycott over Israel: 'I won't turn my back!'
Boy George has responded to critics who condemned his decision to participate in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, defending his involvement at the London Eurovision Party on Sunday evening.The 64-year-old former Culture Club frontman is set to represent San Marino alongside Italian performer Senhit at the competition in Vienna next month.The duo made their first live appearance together at the annual pre-contest event held at HERE at Outernet in central London.Speaking to the Daily Mail at the gathering, the singer addressed those who have attacked him for taking part following the European Broadcasting Union's decision in December to permit Israel's continued participation in the contest.Boy George responded to critics who condemned his decision to participate in this year's Eurovision Song Contest | GETTY"I have many, many Jewish friends that I've had since I was 15 or 16 years old," the Karma Chameleon singer stated. "Are people asking me as a principled human being to turn my back on my Jewish friends? It's not going to happen, it's never going to happen."The performer pointed to his longstanding connection with Jewish culture, noting he had worn a Star of David from the earliest days of his career. He urged critics to examine photographs from Culture Club's heyday as evidence of this affiliation.The singer is set to represent San Marino alongside Italian performer Senhit at the competition in Vienna next month | GETTYHowever, he drew a distinction between his personal relationships and political matters. "I am so affiliated with Jewish people. I am not necessarily affiliated with Israel. I don't really have an opinion on that," he explained. "But the job of music is to unite people."The singer's defence comes amid significant turmoil surrounding the 70th edition of the contest. Boy George said he has 'many Jewish friends' | GETTYWhen organisers ruled Israel could continue competing despite concerns over the conflict in Gaza, several nations opted to pull out entirely.Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland have all confirmed they will boycott the event in protest against the decision. The withdrawals have created difficulties for the competition, with some countries reportedly struggling to secure performers willing to take part."Ireland is my mother's home country. I hope they're not too angry. But if they are, that's out of my control," the singer remarked.Boy George will attend this year's contest | GETTYBoy George was among more than 1,000 entertainment industry figures who put their names to an open letter backing Israel's right to compete.The document, organised by Creative Community for Peace, a pro-Israel advocacy group, attracted signatures from prominent names including Dame Helen Mirren, Mila Kunis, Amy Schumer, Gene Simmons, Sharon Osbourne and Selma Blair.Published last Wednesday, the letter expressed support for the EBU's stance and criticised those calling for Israel's exclusion.The signatories wrote they had been "shocked and disappointed" by demands to bar the country "for responding to the greatest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust."The letter argued punishing Israel would represent "an inversion of justice", adding the conflict "is not a war that Israel wanted or started".
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