Boy George issues lengthy statement as Israel backlash erupts: 'Anxious everywhere I go!'

 Boy George has published an extensive statement on X declaring that his life has been transformed in recent months after choosing to stand with his Jewish friends.

"I made a decision to support my Jewish friends and without hesitation," the 65-year-old Culture Club frontman wrote. "I feel anxious almost everywhere I go but I do not regret my decision."

The singer said he had watched people he had previously helped abandon him over his stance. "I have seen friends that I have helped and supported turn on me without a conversation," he stated.

He praised the contribution of British Jews to London life, citing "Philip Sallon's crazy nightclubs" and "the brick lane Bagel shop" as examples.

The post marks a significant escalation of his recent interventions in the ongoing row over the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The statement follows a fierce row that erupted on Monday when Boy George accused Ed Sheeran of lacking backbone over the Macklemore controversy.

The American rapper had used his support slot on Sheeran's LOOP Tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to proclaim "Free Palestine" before performing his protest song Hind's Hall.

"@edsheeran clearly has no spine, and as for @Palomafaith and her stupid, virtuous squealing of delight about Mackle-bore when she is about as political as a soggy tuna sandwich," Boy George wrote on X.

He also dismissed slogans like "Free Palestine" as offering "the appearance of moral courage without requiring much political knowledge."

The singer praised Pink for having spoken out and urged Mr Sheeran to address the matter publicly.

The Israeli American Council responded by launching a petition demanding Mr Sheeran drop Macklemore from the remaining tour dates, arguing the rapper had exploited the concert platform to push a "one-sided political agenda."

The organisation declared: "Freedom of expression does not mean freedom from responsibility. Your show. Your stage. Your responsibility."