Eurovision Faces Threats Over Israel

Eurovision boycott calls are growing after it was announced that Israel would still be competing in next year’s international song competition.

People have asked the organizers of the event, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to ban Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

On October 7, Hamas led a surprise attack on Israel, which it said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation. Israel declared war on Hamas and launched hundreds of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, followed by a ground invasion. At least 1,200 people were killed in Israel, the Associated Press has reported, and more than 19,400 Palestinians have been killed, according to health authorities in Gaza, the AP says.

People have taken to X, formerly Twitter, to express their upset over Israel’s inclusion, with many saying they won’t be watching the competition, which will be held in Malmö, Sweden. It will be the 50th anniversary of Sweden’s very first Eurovision win in 1974 when ABBA were the victors.

“Have we all forgotten that Eurovision is allowing a country that is committing genocide to participate? after getting rid of Russia? stand in solidarity with Palestine. Boycott Eurovision whilst Israel is still participating,” one person wrote online, referencing the fact that Russia was removed from the 2022 competition after it invaded Ukraine.

“Countries announcing their Eurovision entries in the midst of a raging genocide being committed by one of its proposed contestants is surely not what it’s supposed to be about. #BoycottIsrael #BoycottEurovision,” another person wrote.

A third added: “Reminder to boycott Eurovision whilst they are still letting Israel take part okay thanks xx.”

The EBU responded to the backlash in a statement provided to Newsweek. It said: “The Eurovision Song Contest is a competition for public service broadcasters from across Europe and the Middle East. It is a competition for broadcasters —not governments—and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the Contest for 50 years.

“We are a member-led organization. The governing bodies of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)—headed by the Executive Board—represent the membership. These bodies have reviewed the participants list and agreed that the Israeli public broadcaster KAN meets all the competition rules and can participate in the Contest next year in Malmö, Sweden, alongside 36 other broadcasters.

“The EBU is aligned with other international organizations, including sports unions and federations and other international bodies, that have similarly maintained their inclusive stance towards Israeli participants in major competitions at this time.

“The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences worldwide through music.”

Other X users have asked that the British entrant, singer Olly Alexander, remove himself from the competition in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Newsweek reached out to a representative for Alexander for comment via email Tuesday.

“I love Olly, I’ve followed his career for years, from tiny pub theatres to Wembley stadium. but this is just pink washing—no queer should be celebrating Eurovision when Isreal are still contestants. You’re just normalizing genocide,” someone tweeted when Alexander announced he would be representing the United Kingdom.

“If Israel is still in it and you participate, I’ll lose any respect I’ve ever had for you so fast. Pinkwashing a genocide ain’t it, babes,” someone else wrote.

Another added: “During a holocaust?!! No Olly, this is not it. #BoycottEurovision.”

Not everyone is unhappy with the competition though, and some people on X have insisted that Israel be allowed to participate or expressed their excitement about next year’s Eurovision.

“Musicians have demanded countries boycott Eurovision unless Israel is banned from taking part. I will boycott Eurovision if Israel is banned,” a person shared in a post, which, at the time of writing had been viewed more than 169,000 times.

“Can we talk about how f****** cool it is that Eurovision went from being an often mocked music TV show to a well-respected stage for the biggest artists of some participating countries,” a fan wrote.

“It’s not even 2024 and we have design, stage, lots of artists… the #eurovision 2024 season has definitely begun!” said another.

Someone else responded to a comment asking for Israel to be banned by writing: “Why ban them? They weren’t banned before and they’ve been killing Palestinians for years and years. This current conflict is a response to a terrorist attack so punishing them for this conflict isn’t the move. Russia and Belarus invaded a country. Big Difference.”

Social media users aren’t the only people advocating snubbing Eurovision, as artists from Iceland called for a boycott unless Israel was prevented from taking part.

The Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland (FTT) told its members in a statement to not participate in the show unless Israel is removed from the competition.

The FTT said: “We all have a duty to take a stand against war and the killing of civilians and innocent children.

“We always have the choice not to put our name to such things, whether we are individuals or state institutions.

“We owe it to the nations that act with military force to not share with them in an event that is always characterized by joy and optimism.”

Recent years have seen Eurovision success for Iceland and many have speculated that if the 2020 competition hadn’t been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s Dadi Freyr would have won. He came fourth the following year.

A variety of petitions have also popped up online demanding that Israel be banned from the competition. One set up by Lotta Backman has said Malmö is home to a large Palestinian refugee population and slammed Israel for “being a violator of so many human rights.”

In the 2023 competition, Israel placed third thanks to the dance-pop song “Unicorn” by Noa Kirel. Kirel had previously served as a soldier in the Israel Defence Forces, completing her mandatory two-year service in February 2022.