Boy George threatens to fire bandmates who refuse to perform controversial pro-Israel song

“Even now the song is written, there are people in my band who are questioning whether they’ll perform it with me. And those people will be fired,” the 65-year-old declared.

The track We Will Dance Again, which he shared on social media on July 28, was partly produced using artificial intelligence.

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Mr O’Dowd defended this approach, insisting: “The lyrics are mine, the melody is mine.”

He argued that AI eliminates what he described as “human interference” in the creative process, adding: “I don’t need gatekeepers.”

The singer, who does not play an instrument, maintained that the technology has actually enhanced his creativity.

The song’s opening lines proved particularly divisive, with Mr O’Dowd singing: “You say genocide, I say war / When you’re attacked, that’s what the army’s for / Does it get ugly? You bet it does / When I know you wanna kill every last one of us.”

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Elsewhere in the track, he references the Nova music festival, where he describes victims as having been “murdered brutally for the crime of dancing.”

The Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7 killed approximately 1,200 people, with more than 350 of those deaths occurring at the festival.

The song also takes aim at pro-Palestinian campaigners and musicians who have spoken out against Israel, with lyrics accusing them of “mouthing like sheep” and being driven by internet propaganda.

The singer’s social media followers were quick to share their thoughts on his threat to fire band members who refuse to perform the track.

One person wrote: “You are AMAZING!”

Another added: “Thank God for you.”

“You are understood, appreciated and supported, my brother,” penned a third.

However, not everyone was positive.

Among a sea of “Free Palestine” comments, one critic wrote: “I think you’re misinformed about Israel.”

Someone else penned: “Does anyone still want to work with you? I don’t think so. Enjoy your solo career.”

“The song is awful, get over it” another added. (sic)

The backlash to the track prompted Mr O’Dowd to pull out of a planned West End stint as King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium, where he had been due to appear from August 3 to 15.

His management confirmed the withdrawal.

In a social media statement explaining his decision, he wrote: “Sometimes, I realise that being an air sign I expect the world to understand me without having to explain myself.”

He rejected accusations of indifference towards Palestinian suffering, stating: “The suggestion that I feel no compassion for Palestinians is both untrue and absurd. I am devastated for the loss of the innocent lives on both sides of this war and I call for peace.”

Mr O’Dowd also hit back at critics labelling him a “genocide denier,” arguing that those who dismiss Israeli suffering face no equivalent scrutiny.

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The singer said the controversial track was rooted in personal encounters with those affected by the October 7 attack.

He described visiting the Nova Exhibition and meeting Michael and Lisa Marlowe, whose son Jake was killed while attempting to help others.

He also spoke of time spent with survivor May Hayat, whose closest friend was murdered at the festival.

The pair were photographed together in front of images of those who lost their lives.

“Everyone knows what happened to innocent women, kids, babies, sons and fathers on that day, innocent people who were at a festival celebrating life,” he wrote.