RE’IM (VINnews) — British singer Boy George visited the site of the Nova music festival massacre near Kibbutz Re’im on Tuesday, meeting survivors, former hostages and bereaved families before holding a press conference.

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The Culture Club frontman, whose real name is George O’Dowd, spoke of being horrified by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and by subsequent denials of the atrocities. He said messages from Jewish friends in London who felt unsafe wearing a Star of David prompted him to act.

“I saw what happened on October 7, and it horrified me. What horrified me more was hearing people who had no connection to what happened telling me it wasn’t true, that it was made up,” Boy George said. “My Jewish friends are my family, and you protect your own family. I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing.”

He highlighted his song “We Will Dance Again,” written after he visited a Nova exhibition in London and met relatives of victims, including the parents of British-Israeli musician Jake Marlowe. The title draws from a phrase used by Nova survivors.

“Writing ‘We Will Dance Again’ wasn’t about making my career better. It was about what I felt deeply inside,” he said. “For me, the most important line is: ‘If you’re ever confused, I stand with the Jews.’ I feel odd being thanked for doing what’s just normal. Music should make people feel safe, celebrated, and like they belong.”

The press conference was moderated by former hostage Omer Shem Tov, who was abducted from the festival and held in Gaza for 505 days. Shem Tov thanked Boy George for visiting, saying it takes courage to stand with Israel publicly and bring people together through music.

Sylvan Adams, president of the World Jewish Congress Israel and Boy George’s host for the trip, also spoke. The son of Holocaust survivors, Adams said “Never Again” must be a commitment, not a slogan, and praised the singer for using his platform despite threats and boycotts.

Boy George is in Israel at Adams’ invitation for two concerts at Tel Aviv’s Menora Mivtachim Arena, produced by Live Nation Israel. The Nov. 4 show, featuring special guest Ivri Lider, has sold out. The Nov. 7 performance, titled “We Will Dance Again,” is dedicated to the Nova community and features DJ Ofer Nissim. At Boy George’s request, Adams and the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem donated 1,500 tickets for that show to the Tribe of Nova Community Association for distribution to survivors and bereaved families.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorists attacked the Nova festival, where thousands had gathered to dance. More than 360 people were killed and dozens were kidnapped to Gaza. The site has since become a place of remembrance.

The visit followed engagements in Jerusalem on Monday, including a meeting with President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog alongside former hostage Elkana Bohbot, and a stop at the Western Wall.

Boy George has previously said his support for Israel has cost him friendships but that he has no regrets.