Boy George Launches Furious Attack on Ed Sheeran, Jade Thirlwall Over Israel Backlash

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has increasingly drawn musicians into public disputes, with artists facing scrutiny for their words, actions or silence. The latest clash centres on English singer and songwriter Boy George, who criticised fellow performers Ed Sheeran and Jade Thirlwall for their silence and outspokenness, respectively, on the ongoing issue.

In a series of posts on social media, Boy George said: 'Why are people who support their Jewish friends being called to account while these fakes, like Ed Sheeran, Jade and countless others, get to pretend to care about a situation they could not comprehend even if they really tried?'

Ed Sheeran's Stance and Macklemore's Role

Sheeran has not publicly taken a clear position on Israel or Palestine. However, many have criticised him for giving Macklemore a platform to wear his keffiyeh, yell 'Free Palestine,' and sing his protest song 'Hind's Hall.'

Macklemore was Sheeran's supporting act in the American leg of his Loop Tour on 4 and 5 September 2026. Macklemore delivered his pro-Palestine speech on both nights. There have been calls for Macklemore to be removed from Sheeran's tour, which resumes on 19 September 2026. Sheeran's official website continues to list Macklemore as a support act.

Jade Thirlwall's Pro-Palestine Advocacy

Initially, Boy George appeared dismissive of Jade Thirlwall while replying to tweets about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. An X user tweeted Thirlwall's Instagram story, wherein she shared a photo of Macklemore and his tweet: 'Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.'

'Who's Jade?' Boy George asked. He later named her directly, accusing her of following a trend.

'More importantly and most shocking is that many of these anti-Israel people have zero political instincts. They only care because it has become fashionable to care. I would go as far as to say that they are the biggest and most hideous cowardly fakes to walk this earth,' Boy George said, mentioning Sheeran and Thirlwall.

Former Little Mix singer Thirlwall has been outspoken about her stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She has attended multiple pro-Palestine rallies in London and openly discussed her views in various interviews.

'I turned down a pretty huge brand endorsement deal due to their involvement with funding the IDF,' she revealed in a 2025 interview with The Fader. 'There was part of me that considered taking the money and putting it towards a pro-Palestinian cause, but then I'm still sort of promoting that brand and that doesn't make sense, either.'

Boy George's Late-Night Replies

Boy George spent Wednesday night replying to tweets related to the Israeli-Palestine conflict. When a social media user shared a video of Kneecap, an Irish group, playing to a packed crowd in Japan screaming 'Free Free Palestine,' Boy George replied: 'They think "free Palestine" is the new scrunchy?'

Another X user said she was ashamed to have Boy George's music catalogue because of his stance on the issue. The Culture Club vocalist replied: 'No one cares? Least of all me! If you bought my music feel free to bin it. You already paid!'

Boy George later explained that his stand is his way of supporting his Jewish friends.