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Eurovision controversy as contestant's open letter calls for one country's ban
This year's Eurovision Song Contest is looking to be one marked by controversy as over 70 former contestants sign a a letter accusing the EBU of "whitewashing" Israel's crimes
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Eurovision is infamous for its gaudy performances and camp europop – but this year, protests are taking centre stage. With the finale set to air May 17, the controversy is ramping up, with over dozens of former contestants calling for Israel’s act to be banned.
On May 6, over 72 former Eurovision acts signed a letter addressed to the European Broadcasting Union. They appealed to the event’s organisers to ban Israel and its national broadcaster, KAN, over the country’s “genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people.”
The letter, published on Artists For Palestine, was signed by former winners like Ireland’s Charlie McGettigan and Portugal’s Fernando Tordo, as well as British singer Mae Muller and French singer La Zarra. It was also signed by two of last year’s competitors Ásdís María and GÅTE. Eurovision 2024 was described in the letter as “the most politicised, chaotic and unpleasant in the competition’s history”.
READ MORE:Fans slam 'ridiculous' new Eurovision policy that will ban some flags from stageThe letter continued: “By continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the EBU is normalising and whitewashing its crimes.”
Israel’s war in Gaza has been named a genocide by Amnesty International . According to Reuters, over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, with more than a third being under 18. Meanwhile, Israel’s military say 407 of its soldiers have been killed, as reported by Reuters.
Article continues belowIn 2024, Israel’s participation in the competition also sparked intense controversy. Between 10,000 and 12,000 people gathered in Malmo, Sweden to protest Israel’s involvement ahead of the semi-final, as reported by Sky News.
Ireland’s contestant, Bambi Thug, who has expressed pro-Palestinian views, also accused the broadcaster KAN of “inciting violence against me twice, three times” on account of their coverage in a statement made to journalists after the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest final, according to the Irish Times. The singer withdrew from dress rehearsals, which prompted the EBU to confirm it had spoken with KAN about its coverage.
The Eurovision Song Contest claims that it is a “non-political event”. However, it has made political stances in the past, such as banning Russia’s participation in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine. Russia remains disqualified in this year’s competition.
This discrepancy was highlighted in the letter, stating: “The EBU has already demonstrated that it is capable of taking measures, as in 2022, when it expelled Russia from the competition. We don’t accept this double standard regarding Israel.”
Pro-Palestine protests were held in Basel, Switzerland on May 11 during the Eurovision "turquoise carpet" event. Israel's contestant, 24-year-old Yuval Raphael, was met with boos from the crowd and a man allegedly made a violent gesture towards her.
This year, the EBU overturned a ban that restricted audiences from displaying flags from non-competing countries. Now they can display the national symbols of any flag permitted under Swiss law – including the Palestinian flag.
However, they also increased restrictions on artists. Now, performers are only allowed to display flags from the official country they are representing on stage – effectively banning them from showing both the Palestinian and Pride flag while performing.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the EBU said it “understands the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East.”
Article continues belowThey added: "The EBU is not immune to global events but, together, with our Members, it is our role to ensure the Contest remains — at its heart — a universal event that promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music. We all aspire to keep the Eurovision Song Contest positive and celebratory and aspire to show the world as it could be, rather than how it necessarily is.”
 with the first semi-final taking place in Basel, Switzerland %23eurovision)
