Boy George has called for more artists to condemn Kanye West’s “antisemitic comments”.

The Culture Club star told the JC: “artists must stand against all forms of prejudice”.

“Because I have so many long term Jewish friends who I love, it’s not something I can ignore,” he said.

“None of my Jewish friends have asked me to speak out but since doing so the love and warmth from strangers thanking me has been touching. I’m not looking for praise because I feel passion for all forms of cruelty.”

“Diversity is not a new creation. It is a fact of life,” he added.

The singer was speaking after a string of antisemitic comments made by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, prompted Adidas to terminate a highly lucrative brand deal with him.

The leading rapper is now no longer a billionaire, Forbes reported Tuesday.

Retailer Gap, French brand Balenciaga, and agency CAA have all also cut ties with Ye in the last week.

He initially sparked outrage on October 8 when he declared on Twitter: “I'm a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE"    

“The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also  You guys have toyed with me and tried to blackball anyone whoever opposes your agenda [sic].”

https://twitter.com/BoyGeorge/status/1583976128100065281/video/1

Speaking on Instagram, Boy George said: “I'm listening with sadness to the antisemitic comments coming out of Kanye's West's mouth. 

“I'm kind of appalled that more artists haven't come out and spoken against what he’s saying…

“As a gay man I have experienced years of prejudice so the idea of doing that to anyone else based on their race, sexuality, skin colour of anything else is appalling to me and it should be appalling to you.”

The New Romantic icon, though not Jewish, has previously slapped down critics from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement to perform in Israel.

In 2017, in response to calls on social media for him to cancel, George said: “I play for my fans. not politicians. I have never looked at any political figure and thought 'yeah, you speak for me. The flow of positive energy is the key!’”

On stage in Tel Aviv wearing a shirt emblazoned with yellow stars of David, he later added: "When I go to Israel people say you shouldn't go, you shouldn't go. F**k off I go where I like!"

“I love it here and it’s always a pleasure to be here! There is such a mad vibe in this country,” he said.

In 2020, he released a song featuring Hebrew lyrics with Israeli artist Asaf Goren.

At the time, Mr Goren told Ynet: “He got a lot of heat from the BDS [movement] so he decided to do something and collaborate with an Israeli musician.”