Boy George has visited the Nova music festival massacre site and prayed for peace at Jerusalem's Western Wall ahead of two concerts in Israel.
The Culture Club singer met survivors, former hostages and bereaved families on Tuesday at the site near the Kibbutz Re'im, where festivalgoers were murdered on October 7, 2023.
The British star joined Sylvan Adams, president of the World Jewish Congress Israel, for a private tour and a press conference focused on remembering the victims and supporting those rebuilding their lives.
A day earlier, he visited the Western Wall alongside Adams, placing a note between its stones and describing the experience as a moment of 'gratitude, reflection, love and prayer', the Jewish Chronicle reported.
The singer, a vocal supporter of Israel, is due to perform at Tel Aviv's Menora Mivtachim Arena on November 4 and 7.
His first concert, featuring special guest Ivri Lider, has sold out. The second will be dedicated to the Nova community under the banner 'We Will Dance Again', with DJ Ofer Nissim appearing as a special guest.
At Boy George's request, Adams and the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem donated 1,500 tickets for the November 7 show, to be distributed to survivors and bereaved families through the Tribe of Nova Community Association.
Reflecting on his visit to the Western Wall, Boy George said he was thinking of his parents and those closest to him.
British musician Boy George visits the Nova Festival Memorial Site near the kibbutz of Reim, in southern Israel on November 3
British singer Boy George visits the site of the Nova music festival where hundreds of revelers were killed and abducted in the Oct. 7
Boy George gestures during his visit at the site of the Nova music festival
'Some places make you feel the presence of those you love, wherever they may be. This is one of them,' he said.
'A moment of gratitude, reflection, love and prayer. May we all find peace.'
Adams said the pair had prayed for peace for Israel, its neighbours and the world, praising the singer for visiting despite pressure on artists to boycott the country.
'George chose to come, perform for his Israeli fans and support the Nova survivors and bereaved families,' he said.
'He has shown courage and real friendship. I am proud to welcome him to our country.'
The singer also met Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who presented him with a sculpture inspired by the red anemones at the Nova festival site.
Herzog and First Lady Michal hosted the star, whose real name is George O'Dowd, in Jerusalem on Monday alongside Adams and former hostage Elkana Bohbot.
The sculpture's dedication recognised his support for Israel and the Jewish people, as well as his song We Will Dance Again, inspired by the October 7 massacre.
Herzog praised the singer's 'moral clarity' at a time when Israelis and Jews faced discrimination in culture, art and music.
'The people of Israel love you, and thank you for standing with us,' he said.
Boy George said the song had changed him personally, adding: 'I feel like "We Will Dance Again" has forced me to grow up.'
The singer is visiting at Adams' invitation. His concerts are being produced by Live Nation Israel, which is coordinating the visit in cooperation with Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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