Boy George has been met with a fierce backlash after releasing a pro-Israel song that defends the country’s military action in Palestine and refutes that a genocide is being carried out in Gaza.

Posted to the singer’s social media accounts this week with the Hebrew title, עוד נרקוד, along with its English translation, “We Will Dance Again”, the song features the opening lyrics: “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.”

The phrase “We Will Dance Again”, which Boy George, 65, sings on the chorus, has been used by Israelis to express hope in the wake of the 7 October music festival attack by Hamas.

Elsewhere on the track, which is set to a reggae-pop beat, Boy George criticises the pro-Palestine movement, including musicians who have condemned Israel for its actions: “You condemn, with selective memory/ Musicians holding flags, mouthing like sheep/ Propaganda fuelled by the internet feels so weak.”

The track does not appear to be available on streaming platforms.

Last September, a two-year United Nations investigation found that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, citing the bombardment that has killed over 73,000 Palestinians since the war started, the forced displacement of most of the two-million strong population, the destruction of the healthcare system as well as the blocking of essential food, water, aid and electricity that has led to famine.

The commission also referred to the “use of starvation as a weapon” along with the torture, rape and sexual assault of Palestinian detainees, and environmental destruction.

Israel’s foreign ministry called the UN report “distorted and false”.

Last month, another independent UN inquiry found that Israel was continuing to commit genocide by targeting children, a report branded a “libellous sham” by Israel.

Boy George’s song marks a step up in his vocal support for Israel, after he said earlier this year that he did not have an opinion on the country.

Speaking ahead of his performance with San Marino for their 2026 Eurovision Song Contest entry last May, he was questioned about the boycott by countries including Spain, Iceland and the Netherlands over Israel’s continued inclusion.

“I have many Jewish friends, whom I’ve known since I was 15 or 16 years old,” he responded. “Are people asking me, as someone with principles, to turn my back on my Jewish friends? That is not going to happen – it will never happen.”

Boy George, who is not Jewish, said he has worn the Star of David “from the beginning of my career” and that he felt “very connected to the Jewish people”. He added: “I’m not necessarily connected to Israel. I don’t really have an opinion on that. But the mission of music is to unite people.”

In an interview with The Telegraph, he reaffirmed his support for his Jewish peers: “Over the years it’s become a really personal thing. It doesn’t mean that I don’t have compassion for Palestinians, it doesn’t mean that I agree with what's going on in Israel, but I am always going to defend the people that I love.”

His song has been met with fierce condemnation from many on social media.

Martyn Ware, the founder of pop bands the Human League and Heaven 17 and a former friend of Boy George, called the song an “overtly pro-genocide, anti-Palestinian piece of musical propaganda…” He wrote: “George, you should be ashamed.”

Boy George’s fellow pro-Israel supporters thanked him for the song, with one claiming it brought “tears to my eyes”.

The Independent has contacted Boy George’s representative for comment.

Boy George became known as the colourful frontman of Culture Club in the Eighties, releasing hit songs such as “Karma Chameleon” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”.

In 2008, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for assault and false imprisonment after he “chained” then-26-year-old Audun Carlsen to a wall. He pleaded not guilty at the time.

Meanwhile in 2022, he took part in the ITV reality contest I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! In which he was accused of purposely causing tension in the camp. He also shut down questions about his court case and cried when former health secretary Matt Hancock arrived in the jungle, due to his mother’s illness during the covid-19 pandemic while Hancock was in office.

In May this year, he failed to make it through to the Eurovision final after performing with San Marino contestant SENHIT for her song “Superstar”, but insisted he still had a “fabulous” time participating.