Boy George defends Eurovision participation amid boycott calls

Boy George has defended his decision to take part in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, insisting that music should unite people even as the competition faces renewed controversy over Israel’s participation.

The Culture Club frontman is set to perform alongside Italian singer Senhit, representing San Marino at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. His involvement has drawn criticism from pro‑Palestinian campaigners and others calling for a boycott of the contest after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed Israel would be allowed to compete despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Speaking at the London Eurovision Party and in subsequent media interviews, Boy George said withdrawing from the contest would amount to turning his back on Jewish friends he has known since his teenage years.

“I have many, many Jewish friends that I’ve had since I was 15 or 16 years old,” he said. “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”.

He added that his connection to Jewish culture dates back to the earliest days of his career, noting that he frequently wore the Star of David during Culture Club’s rise to fame in the 1980s. However, he stressed that this did not equate to political support for any government.

“I am so affiliated with Jewish people. I am not necessarily affiliated with Israel. I don’t really have an opinion on that,” he said. “But the job of music is to unite people”.

The row follows a decision by the EBU to allow Israel to remain in the contest, a move that prompted Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland to withdraw in protest. Campaigners have compared the situation to Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, arguing that similar standards should apply.

Boy George acknowledged the sensitivities, particularly Ireland’s withdrawal, given his family links to the country. “Ireland is my mother’s home country,” he said. “I hope they’re not too angry. But if they are, that’s out of my control”.

Earlier this year, Boy George also signed an open letter organised by the Creative Community for Peace, alongside more than 1,000 entertainment figures, supporting Israel’s continued participation in Eurovision. The letter argued that cultural events should not be used as political weapons and that music can help bridge divisions rather than deepen them.

In a post on X, Boy George previously wrote: “You can be against war and still love humanity,” adding that he opposed blaming entire populations for the actions of governments.