Unmasking the Controversial History of Israel in Eurovision
Commission has already presented multiple suggestions.
The victorious Austrian, JJ, after his recent Eurovision win in Basel, audaciously declared, "I'd love to see the Eurovision Song Contest hosted in Vienna next year. But not with Israel." This declaration, striking a discordant chord, challenges the very ethos of the ESC: unity through music.
Originated by the Swiss Marcel Bezençon, the chairman of the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) programming commission, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) launched in 1956, born from the EBU's ambition to promote broadcasting advancements. The first major milestone came with the live broadcast of Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation, laying the foundation for the Song Contest.
Today, the EBU comprises 68 broadcasting organizations from 56 European, North African, and West Asian countries. Countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon are part of this diverse family, but only Morocco showcased its talent at the 1980 ESC. The absence of others is attributed to Israel's continuous presence, a saga dating back to its inception in 1973.
The ESC has evolved into a unique, self-contained system, absorbing external influences in its eccentric manner. Many ESC performers remain celebrated within the bubble but seldom break into the global music market, save a few exceptions like ABBA, Céline Dion, or the buzzy Austrian drag queen, Conchita Wurst.
The ESC Grand Finale usually offers a spectacle, with international audiences appreciating its peculiarities since the 1990s. In 1997, the proudly open gay artist, Paul Oscar, took the stage, marking the ESC's pioneering stride towards queer visibility. Israel's transgender star, Dana International, claimed victory in 1998 with "Diva" and paved the way for more progressive victors such as Conchita Wurst in 2014, the non-binary Swiss sensationalist Nemo in 2024, and this year's champ JJ.
Upon Netanyahu's 2022 comeback, Israel's liberal scene faced strife. The right-wing coalition immediately targeted the public broadcaster Kan 11, responsible for managing the ESC preselection. Tragedy struck when Hamas orchestrated a brutal terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, claiming over 1200 lives. Israel's immediate retaliation saw over 53,000 deaths in Gaza, and the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, suspecting him of war crimes. Meanwhile, Hamas supporters across the globe rejoiced in the carnage.
Instead of empathizing with Israel's struggling liberal movement, some EBU members called for its ESC exclusion. Eden Golan, the 2024 Israeli contestant, faced relentless heckling during the competition in Malmö. This year's Israeli representative, Yuval Raphael, endured boos and throat-cutting gestures at Basel and was even subjected to the "ESCalate for Palestine" campaign. Nemo, last year's victor, along with 70 former participants, called for Israel's removal, questioning the EBU's double standards in the wake of Russia's expulsion due to its war on Ukraine.
Justifying his stance, JJ referred to Russia's ban, stating, "Russia and Israel both act aggressively, proactively instigating wars." However, he later backtracked on his statement. This revelation sheds light on his thought process.
The 2024 Berlin Christopher Street Day not only featured the official parade but also the "Internationalist Queer Pride," an event advocating anti-colonial, anti-racist, and anti-capitalist ideologies. A handful of activists heartily danced to "Free Palestine" chants, adorning black-and-white Palestinian pattern T-shirts and stoles, as well as kufiyas.
The Palestine solidarity movement is heavily influenced by postcolonial theory, championed by queer philosopher Judith Butler, among others. Israel is perceived as a Zionist colony, while groups like Hamas are considered anti-colonial liberation movements. However, the oppressive treatment of the queer community in Gaza by Hamas has missed the activists' radar. Ironically, Israel serves as a safe haven for queer Palestinians, a haven that is now under threat from the Netanyahu administration.
Embracing the diverse tapestry of human complexity in such contentious situations would be more compassionate than lumping singers like Yuval Raphael with Netanyahu's government.
- Social-media platforms have been abuzz with debates about the Eurovision Song Contest, with some calling for Israel's exclusion due to political conflicts.
- Despite the ESC's historical milestones in promoting entertainment, music, and general news, it has also faced controversies surrounding war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice.
- The ESC, known for its unique blend of entertainment and politics, has often been at the forefront of queer visibility, with artists like Dana International and Conchita Wurst paving the way.
- The Palestinian solidarity movement, influenced by postcolonial theory, often criticizes Israel's policies, yet overlooks the oppressive treatment of the queer community in Gaza by groups like Hamas.
