Boy George visits Nova site: Survivor tributes and concert plans

Boy George toured the Nova desert rave site at Re’im on Tuesday afternoon, marking his first visit to the location of the October 7, 2023, massacre. The pop star arrived during day four of his Israel trip, accompanied by survivors and supporters. He is scheduled to perform in Tel Aviv on November 4 and November 7.

Survivors thanked the singer for his presence and his pro-Israel song, “We Will Dance Again.” Jenny Sividia, whose brother and his girlfriend were killed at the rave, and May Hayat, a bartender who survived by playing dead, spoke to George at the site. Omer Shem Tov, a former hostage held in Gaza for 505 days, joined the group. Shem Tov described the visit as his second time at the site since his release. He noted that he originally came to the festival to dance and enjoy freedom with friends, a place he never imagined would change his life.

Philanthropist Sylvan Adams, who arranged George’s trip, is providing 1,500 tickets for the second Tel Aviv show. Those tickets are dedicated to members of the Nova bereaved community. George walked the sandy paths of the site in his trademark plaid pants and top hat. He shook hands with bereaved family members who frequent the location.

George told reporters that meeting the survivors helped him understand the situation better than news coverage alone. He said, “An outsider never knows what it’s really like.. The one thing they all have in common is they want to live in happiness.” He met with President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem on Monday and visited the Western Wall earlier in his trip.

The visit follows widespread criticism George has faced from fellow musicians for his support of Israel. Roger Waters, a vocal supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, sent a letter urging artists to refuse performances in Israel. George said he placed the letter in the bin. He last performed in Israel in 2017 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv.

Ofir Amir, a Nova survivor and organizer with the Tribe of Nova Association, praised George’s visit. Amir said artists have the power to influence millions and that George is showing leadership by making the effort to come. The association created a traveling exhibit of the rave that George first saw in London. That exhibit inspired his song about the festival and the tragedy.

George discussed writing “We Will Dance Again” in the months following the attack. He said the line “If you’re ever confused, I stand with the Jews” is the most important part of the song. He acknowledged that reaching the higher notes is difficult but plans to sing them in Tel Aviv. He described the term “genocide” as becoming a chant during the dispute over the war in Gaza, where some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage in the initial invasion.