Disqualified Eurovision contestants demand expulsion of Israel and its broadcaster KAN from the competition
Yo, let's chat about this year's Eurovision Song Contest, going down next week in Basel, Switzerland! But here's the catch: more than 70 former contestants have penned an open letter, urging the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to can Israel and its national broadcaster KAN from the competition.
Israel's presence at Eurovision has been a bone of contention for a while now, given the unresolved conflict in the Middle East. Now, these ex-contestants, including winners like Charlie McGettigan, Salvador Sobral, Fernando Tordo, and British singer Mae Muller, have banded together. They're asking the EBU to bar Israel for its alleged "genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza" and its "decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation."
Last year's competition was a hornet's nest due to Israel's participation amidst ongoing attacks on Gaza. Critics accused the EBU of hypocrisy, as it previously kicked out Russia following Putin's invasion of Ukraine, but kept Israel in the mix.
Israel did manage to compete last year, despite threatening to pull out after its contestant was asked to tweak her song 'October Rain' due to its potential lyrical references to the 7 October attacks. KAN also drew heavy criticism for its delegation's rough treatment of contestants, particularly Irish contestant Bambie Thug, who accused the network of "inciting violence" against her.
This year's letter urges EBU members to kick KAN out of the Eurovision Song Contest, arguing that it's complicit in Israel's alleged crimes. The letter slams the EBU for normalizing and whitewashing Israel's actions. The signatories demand that the EBU take action to prevent further disruptions to the festival and exclude Israel from Eurovision.
You can catch the full letter on Artists For Palestine UK's website. Last year, more than 56,000 people signed a petition calling for Israel's ban, and Iceland's Association of Composers and Lyricists, along with 1,400 industry professionals across Europe, also demanded Israel's Eurovision entry be suspended.
However, the EBU has stood firm, stating that it's their role to ensure the Contest remains a universal event, promoting diversity and inclusion through music. This year, Israeli entrant Yuval Raphael is set to perform the track 'New Day Will Rise.'
So that's the lowdown on this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Buckle up, folks, it's gonna be a wild ride!
[1] Artists For Palestine UK's Letter
[2] 56,000 Sign Petition Calling for Israel's Ban from Eurovision 2022
[3] Iceland's Association of Composers and Lyricists Calls for Israel's Eurovision Entry to be Suspended
[4] EBU's Statement Regarding Israel's Participation in Eurovision
[5] Why Israel Remains Engaged in Eurovision despite Calls for Boycott
- The Eurovision Song Contest, taking place next week in Basel, Switzerland, finds itself embroiled in controversy as more than 70 former contestants have penned an open letter to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), urging the organization to boycott Israel and its national broadcaster KAN from the competition.
- The ex-contestants, including winners like Charlie McGettigan, Salvador Sobral, Fernando Tordo, and Mae Muller, have come together, demanding that Israel be barred due to alleged "genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza" and a "decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation."
- In the past, the EBU has faced criticism for normalizing and whitewashing Israel's actions, as it allowed Israel's participation amidst ongoing conflicts without disciplinary action.
- Last year, Israeli contestant Netta was asked to tweak her song due to its potential lyrical references to the 7 October attacks, and KAN's delegation faced harsh criticism for their treatment of contestants.
- This year's letter calls for KAN's exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest, claiming that it's complicit in Israel's alleged crimes and arguing that the EBU should take action to prevent further disruptions to the festival and exclude Israel from Eurovision.
