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Eurovision 2024 is under pressure: Here’s why
European political figures wrote a letter to Eurovision organizers saying Israel should be excluded for its war in Gaza.
A man's shadow is cast on a poster displaying the image of an Israeli flag, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, February 1, 2024. REUTERS/Susana Vera TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The pressure on Eurovision Song Contest organizers to exclude Israel from this year’s competition is growing amid its ongoing war in Gaza. On Tuesday, over 20 politicians wrote to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), contending that Israel’s involvement in the contest serves to “whitewash a regime engaged in ethnic cleansing in Palestine, committing war crimes, and genocide.”
The politicians are using Russia’s ban as an example
Among the signatories are members of the European Parliament and politicians from Spain’s Podemos party.
The upcoming annual event is scheduled for May at Sweden’s Malmo Arena, following the victory of Swedish singer Loreen last year. The letter acknowledges the EBU’s desire for Eurovision to remain apolitical but points out instances where political considerations were made. Russia’s participation was vetoed in 2022 due to its invasion of Ukraine, and in 2019, Iceland was fined for displaying a Palestinian flag during the contest in Tel Aviv.
The politicians argue that Israel’s participation contradicts the EBU’s stated principles, alleging that it misrepresents Israel and obscures its genocidal actions. Despite these concerns, 37 countries are set to participate in this year’s competition.
Israel was the first country outside Europe to participate in the contest
In 1973, Israel marked a historic moment by becoming the first non-European country to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest and later hosted the event in Tel Aviv in 2019. Entry to the competition is open to all members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
In addition to European politicians expressing concerns, musicians in Sweden, artists in Finland, and activists in Norway and Ireland have written letters to the EBU, urging public broadcasters to exclude Israel from the contest. Iceland is also contemplating reconsidering its participation if Israel is permitted to compete this year.
Eurovision, initiated in 1956, is an internationally acclaimed music pageant enjoyed by millions of viewers.
Some fans will boycott the contest
This year, some fans have declared their intention to participate in protests against Israel by boycotting the contest and switching off their screens if Israel is allowed to participate. They say the day after Russia invaded Ukraine, it was rightly excluded from the song contest. Allowing Israel to participate sets double standards for EBU.
Israel is reportedly set to announce its entry next week.
Some fans in Ireland announced their intention to organize a campaign to pressure RTE, Ireland’s representative broadcaster in the Eurovision Song Contest, into urging the EBU to disqualify Israel.
