Boy George Fires Label Manager Over Refusal to Release Pro-Israel Song

British singer Boy George announced on August 2, 2026, that he had fired his record label manager, Tony Pontius, after Pontius refused to release George's pro-Israel song "We Will Dance Again." The song is dedicated to Jewish victims of the Nova music festival massacre and expresses support for Israel's war in Gaza. George described Pontius as a coward who said, "I don't want any connection to this song," prompting George to end their professional relationship. George, whose real name is George Dawood, independently released the song on his social media channels last week, though it is not available on his Spotify account.

The song opens with the lyrics, "You say genocide, I say war," and condemns the massacre of festival attendees, accusing the world of selective memory and criticizing musicians who follow popular opinion without question. The title, "We Will Dance Again," reflects a phrase used by many Israelis and the Nova festival community to express hope after the tragedy. George, who is 65 and was raised in an Irish-Catholic household, has publicly supported Jewish people especially since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023, despite facing personal losses.

Following the song's release, Boy George withdrew from the upcoming London production of the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar," where he was to share the role of King Herod. His manager, Paul Kemsley, stated that George's outspoken beliefs were respected but that stepping aside was necessary to keep the production's focus and maintain mutual respect among all involved.

The singer's pro-Israel stance sparked a wave of backlash on social media, with critics accusing him of ignoring Palestinian suffering and ethnic cleansing. Some also reminded the public of George's 2009 conviction and 15-month prison sentence for detaining a male escort in his London home. Pontius has not yet responded to George's statements.