The presence of Israel in Eurovision continues to cause controversies, even more after the intensification of genocide in Gaza. Now, 72 artists and composers with experience at the festival have signed an open letter to the Uuer accusing the Israeli delegation of being “complicit of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians.”
Among the ex -participants who have joined the cause are Salvador Sobral, winner of the 2017 edition, and Charlie McGetigan, winner in 1994. Other more recent contestants, such as the British Mae Muller or the French La Zarra, have also directly extended Israel’s expulsion of this year’s edition.
«We urge all members of the European Broadcasting Union (UER) to demand the exclusion of Kan, Israeli public broadcasting, of the Eurovision Song Festival. Kan is an accomplice of the Israeli genocide against the Palestinians of Gaza and the apartheid regime and military occupation that lasts decades against the entire Palestinian people, ”the letter begins.
The statement arrives after the RTVE application to the UUr to open an internal debate on Israel’s candidacy and that the organization prohibits the use of flags other than the country of origin of the artist, essentially preventing the exhibition of pride flags or countries such as Ukraine or Palestine. No Spanish ex -consistent has joined, for the moment, to the proposal. Next, the full letter:
“We, the exparticipantes of Eurovision below signatories, urge all members of the European Broadcasting Union (UER) to demand the exclusion of Kan, the Israeli public broadcasting, of the Eurovision Song Festival. Kan is complicit in the Israeli genocide against the Palestinians of Gaza and the apartheid regime and military occupation that lasts decades against the entire town. Palestine
We believe in the unifying power of music, so we refuse to allow it to be used as a tool to cover up crimes against humanity. Last year, he dismissed us that the Uuer allowed Israel to participate while continued his genocide in Gaza, broadcast live so that everyone saw him. The result was disastrous.
Instead of recognizing generalized criticism and reflecting on their own failures, the UUR responded by redoubled the bet: it gave total impunity to the Israeli delegation while repressed to other artists and delegations, turning the 2024 edition into the most politicized, chaotic and unpleasant of the history of the contest.
Silence is not an option. Before the rise of authoritarian movements and the extreme right worldwide, our duty to raise the voice has become even more pressing. Therefore, we join to declare that the complicity of the UER with the genocide of Israel must cease.
By continuing to defend the representation of the State of Israel, the UUr is normalizing and covering up its crimes. The Uuer has already demonstrated its ability to take measures, as in 2022 when it expelled Russia from the contest. We do not accept this double standards with respect to Israel.
We sympathize with this year’s contestants and condemn the repeated negative of the UE to assume its responsibility. As singers, composers, musicians and other people who have had the privilege of participating in Eurovision, we urge the UE already all its member stations to act immediately and avoid greater discredit and disturbances of the festival: Israel must be excluded from Eurovision. ”
